Not a single community today can do without sustainable and well-planned mobility
Pulse: You have just got back from MIPIM, so our first question is straightforward: is the subject of mobility an important issue at the tradeshow?
Jalil Benabdillah: What do people talk about at MIPIM? Urban development and property investment. That is the heart of the exhibition. Well, you can't have urban development—and therefore no property investment—if the community in question isn't accessible, if there are no transport solutions. When we talk about economic development, when we try to generate positive externalities and attract French or foreign investors, the issue of mobility is one of the first questions asked, alongside those relating to land, the labour market and housing. One major criterion is that the area must be easy to get to and that mobility solutions must be intelligently designed. All this explains why, at MIPIM, everyone was talking about transport infrastructure, railway stations, public transport, and soft or carbon-free mobility. If a community wants to enable businesses to locate there with complete peace of mind, for both their employees and their goods, then not a single community today can do without sustainable and well-planned mobility.
How, in practice, are mobility issues approached by CNER member agencies seeking to develop a community?
I often say that economic development agencies are trusted third parties that facilitate relations between public officials who draw up the roadmap, economic stakeholders or businesses who fund projects, and the public. It is in this respect that the role of these agencies is central. Beyond the purely financial and economic aspects – land and buildings – there are the issues of training, accommodation and transport. Issues that need addressing immediately! In Toulouse, for example, there is hope that the new metro line will relieve congestion on the roads, and it is the subject of much discussion in view of all the projects being carried out in the Toulouse metropolitan area. When all the different agencies talk to each other, their discussions focus on these experiments that have succeeded in terms of land use planning, taking mobility issues into account. It is an environmental, ecological and economic issue, and therefore a major priority.
Public debate often pits city dwellers – who are said to have already given up their cars – against those living in rural or suburban areas, who, by contrast, remain attached to their cars. As someone who works with agencies representing a wide array of communities, do you observe this polarisation?
I think your question begs two questions. Firstly, the issue of people’s environmental and economic awareness, whether they live in urban, suburban or rural areas. Today, I believe that people across all groups are aware of these issues, and those living in rural or suburban areas are just as concerned as the so-called ‘urban hipsters’ who are supposedly their polar opposites. The other question you raise concerns transport infrastructure or mobility solutions that do not serve all communities equally. There is often a tendency to prioritise urban areas when it comes to transport infrastructure, as well as cultural and sporting facilities. In towns and cities, there is a proper range of transport options to choose from, whereas in the countryside, people have no choice but to take their car for their work, shopping, school runs and medical appointments. I don’t hear anyone, even in rural areas, telling me they aren’t concerned about the environment… But developments must keep pace with people’s desire for change, in both towns and the countryside.
Is the launch of a new bus, tram or metro line therefore a good way to create value in a community and develop economic activity?
Opening a new transport link tends to boost property values in city centres, as these are naturally at the heart of transport networks, but outlying areas will see their values rise as they become better connected. After all, many people would prefer not to drive, or have to worry about parking… I’m old enough to remember a time when people had to be persuaded to leave their cars in the garage, so yes, there has been a real shift in awareness; many are ready to make the switch. Everyone has realised that we need to protect the environment, which we have damaged, but would also like to be free of the stress of driving and traffic jams… And, of course, cost-wise, it’s easier on the pocket!
Isn’t it difficult, or even counterintuitive, to bring together development agencies which, by definition, each defend their own turf?
It may seem that way, but on the contrary, we share a common goal: to create value, wealth and sustainable jobs across all communities on mainland France and the overseas territories. There is competition between communities, but it must be fair and encourage healthy rivalry. Our development agencies have an incentive to cooperate in order to direct projects towards the most suitable communities, strengthen ecosystems, and promote France internationally, amongst other things. Because I’d rather a project went to a region or department next door than to China, wouldn’t you? We are in favour of ‘coopetition’, a concept that refers to cooperation between competitors, working together on everything that unites us. We pool our experiences, share best practices and reflect on failures; we provide common tools to enhance the economic efficiency of all our agencies.
Since you took over in March 2025, the CNER has continued to welcome new agencies among its ranks. How would you explain this success?
Firstly, we should acknowledge the accomplishments of my predecessor whilst we have sought to bring fresh new momentum to the role, but it is true that today we have become more attractive, visible and influential. Economic development is a key challenge in the post-Covid era, alongside the ecological, digital and industrial transitions, and communities have come to realise this. We need to professionalise our approach, and the CNER offers experience, expertise, benchmarks and training for economic developers, as well as support networks so that any community, even small ones or those far from the French mainland, can hold their own in the race for attractiveness and economic development. Bringing these communities and their agencies together provides them with visibility and credibility.
