Title page 1

Contents 5

Acknowledgements 4

Executive Summary 7

1. Introduction and data factsheet 9

1.1. Introduction 9

1.2. Data factsheet 12

2. Context and characteristics 15

2.1. Key trends of intermediary cities in France 15

2.1.1. French intermediary cities are attractive despite facing some demographic and economic challenges 15

2.2. Intermediary city functions in France 17

2.2.1. French intermediary cities offer an attractive living environment, illustrated by their strong residential function 17

2.2.2. Residential attractiveness and good transport connectivity increase commuting flows to employment areas 17

2.2.3. A dynamic cultural and recreational offering contributes to the attractiveness of French intermediary cities and presents potential for development 19

2.2.4. French intermediary cities generally offer good access to services and facilities 19

2.3. The example of Valence 20

2.3.1. Geographical context and governance 20

2.3.2. Key trends 21

2.3.3. Typology and functions 21

3. Policy frameworks and instruments 24

3.1. Strengthening the strategic approach in support of intermediary cities by optimising the spatial and functional coverage of policy programmes 24

3.1.1. The Action Coeur de Ville programme: the main instrument dedicated to intermediary cities in France 24

3.1.2. Other examples of national programmes providing indirect support 26

3.1.3. Strategic co-ordination and territorial coherence 26

3.1.4. Optimising existing programmes to better support all intermediary cities and their functions 27

3.2. Strengthening the deployment and management of support mechanisms at the FUA level for intermediary cities 28

3.2.1. Considering strengthened inter-municipal support for the key functions of intermediary cities 30

3.3. Strengthening co-ordination mechanisms and partnerships between levels of government 30

3.4. Leveraging European funds to promote the sustainable development of intermediary cities 31

4. Recommendations 34

Annex A. Organisational principles of the French unitary state 36

Annex B. Additional information: City of Valence 39

Annex C. Action coeur de ville in France 41

Annex D. Additional information: Support schemes for intermediary cities 42

References 48

Notes 53

Table 1. Context indicators (France) 12

Table 2. Functional Indicators (France) 13

Table 3. Recommendations 34

Figure 1. Municipalities in the Valence FUA and their population within the Drôme department 12

Figure 2. Municipal expenditure of intermediary cities in France 14

Figure 3. Municipal revenue of intermediary cities in France 14

Figure 4. French intermediary cities are growing at a rate similar to the national average (between 2011 and 2021) 16

Figure 5. Intermediary cities in France have a higher share of detached houses than other FUAs in the country 17

Figure 6. People living in intermediary cities in France commute further on average than those in other FUAs to get to work 18

Figure 7. Intermediary cities in France benefit from access to shopping centres comparable to that of FUAs with fewer than one million inhabitants 20

Boxes 6

Box 1. The OECD-EU project "Unlocking the potential of intermediary cities for regional development" 9

Box 2. Functional Urban Area (FUA) 11

Box 3. The Action Coeur de Ville programme in Valence 25

Table A B.1. Responsibilities of the Valence Romans Agglomération EPCi 39

Table A D.1. National policy instruments providing indirect support to intermediary cities 42

Table A D.2. Distribution of support programmes for intermediary cities in France 45

Table A D.3. Number of beneficiary municipalities per support programme in French intermediary cities 45

Table A D.4. Dynamics of support programme overlap in intermediary cities in France 46

Table A D.5. Objectives, scope of action and governance of national support programmes for intermediary cities 47

Figure A D.1. Stratified municipal distribution of support programmes at national level 43

Figure A D.2. Municipal distribution of support programmes at national level (by programme) 44

Annex Boxes 6

Box A A.1. Decentralisation and deconcentration in France 36

Box A A.2. The multi-level governance framework in France 37

Box A B.1. Examples of urban projects in Valence supported by ERDF funding 39

Box A C.1. Examples of the implementation of the Action Coeur de Ville (City Heart revitalisation, ACV) programme in France 41