Regional metropolitan areas and Greater Paris

A moment of indifference

Daniel Béhar, Matilin Le Meur, 2025

Plateforme d’observation des projets et stratégies urbaines (POPSU)

A moment of indifference : when France’s major cities turn their backs on one another. In « Regional Metropolises and Greater Paris », Daniel Béhar and Matilin Le Meur explore a historical interlude : that of strategic indifference between Paris and the regional metropolises.

Whilst the capital, once the ultimate model of modernity, no longer holds the same appeal, the major provincial cities — Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes — are focusing on ‘glocal’ approaches, oscillating between global competition and local solidarity. Yet this indifference masks an undeniable functional interdependence: Paris remains the ‘suction-and-discharge pump’ of the French economy.

The book suggests that this era may be drawing to a close, driven by environmental challenges and the quest for national sovereignty, calling for a new narrative of inter-territorial cooperation.

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The triumph of ‘ glocal ’: between globalisation and local roots

French cities have long been viewed through the lens of a centralised model, in which Paris reigned supreme. However, since the 2000s, a paradigm shift has taken place: regional cities have adopted a ‘ glocal ’ approach 1, combining international ambition with local roots. This dynamic has led to a form of ‘denationalisation’ of urban systems, in which the relationship between Paris and the metropolitan areas has become a given.

Decentralisation laws, notably the MAPTAM Act2, have reinforced this trend by granting metropolitan areas extensive powers (economic development, territorial cohesion). These areas have consequently focused on managing their hinterlands, fostering local solidarity and regulating territorial spillover, whilst neglecting issues of national cooperation.

Paris, a capital that no longer sets the standard

Once the undisputed benchmark, Paris has lost its status as a metropolitan model. Regional metropolitan areas, such as Lyon and Bordeaux, have developed models of governance and urban projects that are now setting the standard, including on the international stage. Greater Paris, with its ‘organised anarchy3’ (Artioli & Le Galès), is perceived as an institutional exception that is difficult to replicate.

Regional cities are looking to European models (Barcelona, Milan, Rotterdam) for their major urban projects, such as Euralille or Euroméditerranée. These projects, often spearheaded by ‘starchitects’, aim to boost their international profile and economic appeal.

Yet Paris remains a key player, not as a strategic benchmark, but as a mechanical lever. The capital acts as a ‘suction-and-discharge pump’, redistributing wealth and dynamism to the regions. Regional metropolises attract residential inflows (Parisian executives) or lobby for high-speed rail links, without, however, developing an explicit strategy for cooperation with Paris.

Strategic indifference : a phase on the way out ?

This ‘ phase of indifference ’ may be drawing to a close. The challenges of the ecological transition and the quest for national sovereignty require us to re-examine the interdependencies between Paris and the regional metropolitan areas. Vulnerabilities (in terms of public health and energy) reveal that these metropolitan areas, once triumphant and isolated, must now acknowledge their mutual dependencies.

Faint signals herald a change :

Greater Paris itself is evolving: initially designed for global competition (the Saclay cluster), it is now shifting towards decarbonisation objectives on an inter-territorial scale (the Seine axis).

Towards a ‘ Métropole France ’: a new national narrative

The book calls for us to move beyond indifference to build a new national narrative, based on cooperation and collective resilience. The authors argue for a shift in public policy: moving from a logic of fruitless competition to one of solidarity and socio-territorial justice.

The ecological transition and issues of sovereignty (energy, food, health) require us to rethink the relationships between regions. It is no longer simply a matter of competing, but of cooperating to tackle climate and geopolitical crises.

“ The failure of the old model of spatial planning calls for a new national narrative. The dual imperatives of environmental transition and national sovereignty offer an opportunity to shape this narrative. ”

Conclusion : the end of one model, the beginning of another ?

Regional metropolitan areas and Greater Paris invite us to rethink the relationships between territories in the light of contemporary challenges. Whilst strategic indifference has characterised the last two decades, ecological crises and issues of sovereignty are opening a window of opportunity to build a ‘ Metropolis France ’ — a distributed and cooperative network, capable of collectively managing vulnerabilities and strengthening national resilience.

1 Glocal : an approach combining globalisation (international competition) and localisation (local solidarity)

2 MAPTAM Act (Modernisation of Local Public Action and the Affirmation of Metropolitan Areas) : a French Act of 2014 which established the status of ‘metropolis’ for large urban areas, granting them expanded powers (spatial planning, economic development, transport, etc.) and greater fiscal autonomy.

3 Organised anarchy : a model of governance for Greater Paris, characterised by legislative complexity and a fragmentation of powers (Artioli & Le Galès)

Sources

Works cited:

  • « Les Métropoles barbares » by Guillaume Faburel, Éditions La Découverte, 2018

  • « Gouverner le Grand Paris », directed by Francesca Artioli and Patrick Le Galès, Éditions Dalloz, 2019

To go further

POPSU website: popsu.archi.fr/