EDR : Entreprises et Developpement Régional
EDR : a team of senior consultants
Urban and regional planning requires exploration of the future and the assessment of the forces acting within and on this specific territory: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats; weak signs and strong signs; long term tendencies, new events, and breakdowns. A wise public manager has to forecast the future and share his vision with most of the territory stakeholders.
Sustainable development – economical, environmental and social – is becoming a major objective for any local authority. It requires new ways of management and of good governance.
Local authorities are under the pressure of citizens to improve public, services: water supply and treatment, electricity and heating, waste management, public transportation, goods and freight delivery, telecommunications and high speed broadband Internet access, etc. Whatever type of management is decided – public or private –best efficiency for lower costs are required.
The tremendous improvements in computing and telecommunication networks, fixed or mobile, lead to more and more applications that make cities to be “smartâ€. Those will therefore attract more investors and more economic activities, more employments and higher educated residents.
Globalization of the economy induces competition, not only between firms, but also between cities. Large cities and their metropolitan areas are challenged at regional and international level. To stand into the competition they have to elaborate a strong international strategy.
Firms are themselves becoming more conscious of environmental considerations for the success of their own business. They are growingly open to different kinds of public-private partnerships. Local authorities may be active in opening dialogue and make proposals.
Public management of cities or region is not only the responsibility of elected bodies or civil servants; it requires the participation of all the actors of the civil society.
