The Creation of a New Economic Zone in Southern

Belval, a new economic zone in Southern Luxembourg: Efficient planning and social integration through cross-municipal, cross-border and cross-sectorial cooperation.

Showcasing and Rewarding European Public Excellence © www.epsa2013.eu Background

Source: Service information et presse du gouvernement luxembourgeois

4 major development phases, from a village to a University city

1900  1950  1980  2013  …a village …an industrial city …a commercial hub …a future University city & research hub

. Historically, Esch-sur-Alzette is an industrial city, contributing largely to the country’s wealth in the 19th and 20th century . At the beginning of the 20th century, its population doubles (12,781 in 1906 – 23,964 in 1914) . The steel crisis in the 2nd half of the century led to the economic decline of the Southern region . 2002: governmental diversification and decentralisation policies  transfer of the University of Luxembourg and national research centres to the 120 hectare brownfield on the territories of the City of Esch-sur-Alzette and the municipality of Sanem  birth of the idea of the ‘City of Science’

. The evolutions on the territory have huge economic and social impacts on the region that require concrete actions on the level of local authorities

ECONOMY SOCIETY

- Increased power of purchase - Increase in population in - Establishement of new Esch-sur-Alzette and companies neighboring municipalities, - Creation of new jobs including in France - Commercial development - Installation of a new population with specific needs THUS THUS - Economic growth - New incentives for investors - More need for lodgements - Reinforced national and - New needs in terms of leisure, international standing shopping, culture and nightlife

A shared territory with the Municipality of Sanem A large number of commuters A crossborder from FR, BE territory and DE

Need for smart development Rapid growth of Cooperation beyond a single the population territory

Municipality of Sanem

City of Esch- sur-Alzette

France

. Sustainable local and regional development & territorial cooperation . A polycentric model including a complete integration of the site of Belval into the urban environment of Esch-sur-Alzette and Sanem . A strong social cohesion between the new area and other districts, between the municipalities of the region as well as at cross-border level . A university and research hub that attracts students and investors from all over the world . Increase of competitiveness and employment . A cross-municipal, interregional and cross-sectorial laboratory to generate concrete benefits for the region, the country and the ‘Greater Region’

. Cross-municipal partnerships - Municipality of Sanem (shared territory) - PRO-SUD (Grouping of 11 municipalities of Southern Luxembourg)

. Cross-municipal & cross-border partnerships - European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Alzette- Belval (4 municipalities in Luxembourg, 8 municipalities in France) - Tonicités (network of 6 cities in France, Belgium and Luxembourg)

. Cross-sectorial partnerships - The government of Luxembourg - University of Luxembourg and student associations - Public Research Centres - Site development companies - The local business incubator - Local trade associations - Observatoire Belval (cross-sectorial exchange platform) - Other companies and service providers (i.e. public transport, external experts,…)

Focus on:

. Economic and commercial development (cross-municipal) - Socioeconomic study on the commercial offer and improvement possibilities & set-up of an online business directory

. Mobility (cross-municipal, cross-sectorial & cross-border) - Low impact mobility scope (target: modal split of 60/40) - More bus and train connections - Additional walking and cycling routes - Public bike rental facilities (VelOk)

. Housing (cross-sectorial) - Investment in the reconversion of houses to create student lodgements - Creation of new residential areas

. Social cohesion (cross-municipal, cross-sectorial & cross-border) - Awareness raising among the population - Welcome kits for students and new employees on the territory - Special projects (old age framing programme, public lectures,…) - University chair in social business and social management - Joint communication strategy with the University of Luxembourg - Balancing of the development of the different districts

. Innovation and Research (cross-sectorial) - Partnership with the local business incubator Technoport S.A. - Communication strategy with the PRC Henri Tudor - Collaboration with the PRC CEPS (human and social science)

. Leisure, sports, culture and nightlife (cross-sectorial) - Active promotion of the location and targeting of companies, service providers and brands - Event sponsoring (i.e. 10 year anniversary party of the University, other student events,…)

Territorial cooperation . Creation of 3 working groups in the framework of the EGTC Alzette Belval • Mobility • Tourism, Culture, Sports and Leisure • Urban development and sustainable development

Housing and urban development . Progression of student rooms of 14 % by 2015, a total 50 % in Esch-sur-Alzette and 68% in Esch-sur-Alzette and Sanem at national level . Progressive revalue of the city centre and other districts and interconnection of all districts in order to avoid any isolation

Economic & commercial development . An excellent commercial and service offer (1,208 shops and businesses for 32,000 inhabitants in Esch, 1,460 for 46,700 inhabitants in Esch and Sanem) . Creation of new jobs around the ‘City of Science’ (44 shops in Belval Plaza, 30 companies in the incubator Technoport, 13 companies of other sectors in Belval) . Progression in the tourism sector • More international visitors registered • Creation of a regional Tourist Office • Set up of a working group for the elaboration of cross-border tourist packages

Mobility . A dense regional and cross-border train network with connections between the major cities of the south region at a frequency of every 15 minutes on average . Inauguration of a new park and ride system in Belval

Leisure, sports and culture . New leisure activities (e.g. Urban Beach,…) . Construction of a specialised leisure infrastructure for students

Andreja Wirtz International Relations

Xavier Poos Head of Economic Development, Tourism & International Relations

City of Esch-sur-Alzette

Contact: [email protected]