User:Sad Rist/Economic activity zone (ZAE)

A business zone or economic activity zone (ZAE) is, in France, a site reserved for the establishment of businesses within a given area. An official definition of the economic activity zone was introduced with the Climate and Resilience Law of August 22, 2021 which includes it in the Urban Planning Code (art L-318-8-1).

These zones are defined, developed, and managed by the local authority to which the territory of establishment belongs and which has the competence for it. Since the New Organization of the Republic Law of August 7, 2015, only the intercommunal cooperation public establishments have this competence (coming into effect no later than January 1, 2017).

They bring together public authorities, local communities, and businesses around the same goal of growth and in a partnership logic. Generally placed under the legal framework of a development permit or a joint development zone (ZAC), they are usually located on the outskirts of major centers due to the proximity of transport infrastructure, which ensures their regional, national, or even international influence, as well as access to a pool of labor and services.

Description
In the context of the Trente Glorieuses (the post-war economic boom in France), the concept of business zones was initiated by the economic changes of the 1960s and heavily influenced by the American model. It was then an innovative approach to the distribution of competences aimed at establishing a better balance of wealth and a better organization of the French economic territory.

Between 24,000 and 32,000 zones represent a total area of approximately 500,000 hectares throughout the national territory. The key elements of their success revolve around their ability to increase the attractiveness of their territory for external economic actors (exogenous development) and to support the efforts of nearby companies (local expansion).

They cover a number of domains that have become crucial in the economy and are divided into about ten categories:


 * Craft zones (zones artisanales or ZA);
 * Commercial activity parks, also called commercial zones (zones commerciales or ZC, sometimes ZAC, not to be confused with zones d'aménagement concerté or joint development zones);
 * Industrial parks, also called industrial zones (zones industrielles or ZI or ZAI);
 * Logistic zones (storage and product distribution);
 * Service activity zones;
 * Mixed zones (industrial activities, logistics companies, technological activities, commerce...);
 * Port and airport zones;
 * Technological activity zones;
 * Specialized zones (specific industrial activities);
 * Economic activity parks (parcs d'activités économiques or PAE);
 * Technopoles where companies, research centers, and universities are concentrated.

Their size varies from a few thousand square meters (craft zones) to several thousand hectares (Fos-sur-Mer industrial and port zone.

Subject to the requirements of urban coherence, today business zones have found their place in the city and fulfill their role as a showcase to promote the city and its region, both in France and abroad.

They will reach their full potential by integrating a sustainable development plan, an essential ambition in the process of environmental protection that has become indispensable. This quality requirement will enable them to strengthen their role in the economy and convey a strong image of established companies and future investors.