Zero net artificialization: mayors demand a change of method
The first meeting in the heart of the large auditorium offers more than a warm-up tour, with the theme of an incandescent subject: “ZAN” or zero net artificialization. The implementation of this provision intended to avoid waste of natural land has entered its operational phase for municipalities and intercommunities with the need to develop town planning plans and documents.
Revised since the law of July 20, 2023 and the decrees of November 27, 2023, the I will is the subject of significant disputes among local elected officials, many pointing the finger at the method used. Sylvain Robertmayor of Lens (Pas-de-Calais) confirms: “The subject of ZAN is a moving one. It is part of our daily lives at the AMF and in our communities. We need clarification, since we are currently in the dark.”
Véronique Pouzadouxmayor of Gannatin Allier, is also vice-president of the AMF and co-president of the association's planning commission. The Auvergne elected official summarizes the debates as follows: “Territorial planning is haute couture”.
Françoise Rossignolmayor of Dainville (Pas-de-Calais) assures that the role of local elected officials has not been sufficiently understood upstream: “Landing at the level of mayors was not included in the law. We must think about how to get all elected officials and the population on board, while preserving economic development and the quality of life in our municipalities”. While adding: “The use of wasteland, we agree, but how?”
Laurence Rouedevice-president of the regional council of New Aquitaineadds: “The ZAN has enormously frustrated all elected officials and the French. We must not pit the territories against each other. The methods need to be reviewed”she calls for.
Jean-François Vigiermayor of Bures-sur-Yvette (Essonne) believes that the ZAN “lack of transparency and represents a profound inequality between territories and municipalities, there is a great fear of a two-speed France”.
Guislain Cambiersenator of Nordgoes further and suggests another path: “Lack of transparency, unclear circulars… And local arrangements which do not allow pooling. Hence our proposed law Trajectory of reduction of artificialization concerted with local elected officials to bring everyone along.”
Jean-François Debatmayor of Bourg-en-Bresse (Ain) also hopes for a legislative change: “We need a theoretical objective made known. We must not apply a law to the nearest hectare. We want a change of method and a change of law.”
In his response, Catherine VautrinMinister of Partnership with Territories and Decentralization, is nuanced, recalling that “Michel Barnier spoke directly about the environmental debt”. She concedes that it is necessary “find ways to relax”without calling into question the philosophy of zero net artificialization. “The government has a desire to move forward. Yes, to relax, but yes also for solutions that we owe to our farmers and the planet”she concludes.
More than 20,000 hectares are artificialized each year in France, or nearly five football fields per hour, with consequences on biodiversity or the water cycle.
