Quartiers Métropolitains d'Innovation : a first edition in 4 municipalities of Greater Paris

With the QMI programme, whose first edition was introduced in November 2022, the ambition of the Greater Paris Metropolis is to become a fertile ground for experimentation at the forefront of the challenges facing its municipalities.

The programme

In March 2023, 4 municipalities in the metropolitan area have been selected to host innovative structures from France and abroad :

  • Aulnay-sous-Bois
  • Meudon
  • Sceaux
  • Noisy-le-Grand

6 to 8 experiments per municipality will be deployed, monitored and analysed for 18 months of testing under real conditions until December 2024.

Les communes lauréates

8 mars 2023

Aulnay-sous-Bois

Aulnay-sous-Bois is a municipality of 86,000 inhabitants in the Seine-Saint-Denis (93) department.

  • The context
    Aulnay-sous-Bois is keen to become a breeding ground for innovation in the metropolitan area and has already hosted a number of experimental projects (AI4CITIES, European ReGreen project). Divided between a more suburban south and a north classified as an urban regeneration zone, the town has to deal with a real diversity of urban issues.
  • The innovation district - Centre-Gare
    Characterised by its "village spirit", Centre-Gare is a dynamic part of Aulnay-sous-Bois, with a strong commercial centre. Located to the north of the SNCF station, this mixed neighbourhood nevertheless has a major urban divide with the station and the railway tracks. The solutions tested could therefore focus on commercial and cultural development and programming, traffic calming or strengthening links between residents and shopkeepers.
  • Key issues
    Espaces publics, nature en ville, attractivité commerciale, animation locale, mobilités, gestion des déchets.
La marche sensible à Aulnay-sous-Bois

Meudon

Meudon is a municipality of 45,328 inhabitants in the Hauts-de-Seine department (92).

  • The context
    Meudon is a unique area for experimentation and innovation, where urban density coexists with green spaces. The town has already taken part in several ambitious programmes, including AI4Cities. With QMI, the town hopes to further anchor the key issues linked to the ecological transition in its public policies.
  • The innovation district - Meudon-la-Forêt
    A densely populated district, dominated by large housing estates, with pockets of shops in strong competition with the nearby shopping centre. An eco-neighbourhood has been created as part of a major urban renewal project, demonstrating a local commitment to adapting to climate change. Experimenters will be able to test solutions for the energy transition of buildings, the fight against land artificialisation, commercial revitalisation and improved traffic flows.
  • Key issues
    Energy, commercial attractiveness, waste management, flows, mobility and urban logistics.
La marche sensible - Meudon

Noisy-le-Grand

Noisy-le-Grand is a municipality of 68,930 inhabitants in the Seine-Saint-Denis (93) department.

  • The context
    By applying for the first edition of the Quartiers d'Innovation Métropolitains programme, Noisy-le-Grand underlined the town's genuine desire to anchor innovation at the heart of its territory. Whether it's slab-based urban development, business parks undergoing restructuring or large-scale housing estates, experimenters will be able to test their solutions in a wide variety of urban contexts.
  • The innovation district - Le Mont d'Est
    A multifunctional, dense, relatively lively and attractive area, the Mont d'Est presents specific challenges linked to the characteristics of ageing and very mineral slab-based urban planning, as well as a lack of links with the rest of the city. Innovative solutions are expected to address issues such as adaptation to climate change, functional mix, fluidity and legibility of travel, logistics, waste recovery and reuse, and the consolidation of social links.
  • Key issues
    Ecological transition, energy transition, urban renewal, commercial appeal, local activities, public spaces, circular economy, flows, mobility and logistics.
La marche sensible de Noisy-le-Grand

Sceaux

Sceaux is a commune of 20,374 inhabitants in the Hauts-de-Seine department (92).

  • The context
    With a global vision of innovation as an essential lever for local public action, the town of Sceaux wanted to join the Quartiers Métropolitains d'Innovation programme in order to continue the initial initiatives to promote innovation and experimentation in its area.
  • The innovation district - Les Blagis
    Located at the crossroads of 4 towns (Sceaux, Fontenay-aux-Roses, Bagneux and Bourg-la-Reine), the Les Blagis district is a predominantly residential and mixed-use sensitive urban area. It is separated from the rest of the town by the RER lines, creating a clear urban divide. The town is looking to revitalise Les Blagis as part of the citizens' participation initiative to be carried out in 2021 with local stakeholders. At Les Blagis, the experimenters will be asked to propose solutions designed to improve the living environment, cleanliness and accessibility of the district, as well as its commercial appeal. Solutions for adapting to climate change and reducing urban heat islands will also be welcome!
  • Key issues
    Propreté, accessibilité, attractivité commerciale, transition écologique et ilôts de chaleur, économie circulaire, mobilités.
La marche sensible à Sceaux

Where are we now ?

Latest news from the programme

It's been more than a year since we began working with local authorities and our partners - Paris&Co, Banque des Territoires, Choose Paris Région and Institut Paris Région.

Key dates

  • January 2023 : selection committee to choose the participating municipalities, attended by Patrick Ollier, President of the Greater Paris Metropolis, as well as programme's partners (Banque des Territoires, Choose Paris Region) and representatives of the Greater Paris Metropolis’ political groups.
  • 8 March 2023 : announcement of the 4 winning municipalities at the Hub des Territoires in presence of the mayors and the innovative ecosystem
  • April-May 2023 : launch of the call for innovative solutions (AAE) for start-ups, SMEs, major groups, associations, etc.
  • June 2023 : Reading committee, followed by juries comprising partners and local authorities, to select the 30 experimental projects.
  • 14 June 2023 : announcement at VivaTech of the 30 selected projects and the 4 "Coup de cœur" projects, in the presence of the President Patrick Ollier and the mayors of the 4 municipalities
  • September 2023 : roll-out begins. To date, more than 20% of the solutions have been deployed (February 2024).

A number of major initiatives have been carried out, reflecting the expertise of each of the partners:

  • With the Institut Paris Région : organisation of "sensitive walks" in the future innovation districts with those who use them on a daily basis - residents, associations, public agents and local players.
  • With Paris&Co :
    - 2 days of training for local authority project managers during two days of sharing and exchanging best practice.
    - 2 meetings of the Experimenters' Community in Sceaux and Noisy-le-Grand, key events to share best practice and feedback on the Metropolitan Innovation Districts.

 

Finally, thanks to the investment of our partners Choose Paris Région and the Banque des Territoires, the call for experimentation launched by the Greater Paris Metropolis and Paris&Co has had an unprecedented impact, within France and beyond! The local authorities and their projects also benefited from high visibility at key events in the innovation ecosystem, which the Greater Paris region takes part in every year : Vivatech, Impact Cities Summit, Innopolis Expo.

Find out more