Interview with : Paul Colombani, Deputy Director General of Euroméditerranée

How do you define Euroméditerranée?

Paul Colombani - Euromed, managed by the Établissement public d'aménagement Euroméditerranée (EPAEM), is a project of national interest that was launched in 1995, at a time when the French government was beginning to see the need for a Mediterranean capital. This vast project is financed to the tune of 50 % by the French government, and in part by the city of Marseille, the PACA region and the urban community. The original 311-hectare area has now grown to 480 hectares.

What are the challenges facing Euromed?

P. C. - First of all, the idea was to stimulate Marseille's economic development, starting with the creation of a business district of international standards around the old docks, in order to attract companies, stimulate urban planning and put Marseille in the top 20 European metropolises. Today, the project has become the largest urban renewal operation in Europe.

Has the area changed much since 1995?

P. C. - The docks, where our offices are located, were first rehabilitated, and other projects have gradually come on stream. Zaha Hadid's brand new CMA CGM tower is now up and running, marking the beginning of Marseille's future skyline. The process takes time, but the economic spin-offs are substantial: it is estimated that for every 1.5 billion in public investment, 4 billion can be expected in private investment. It's a fine example of success.