Bordeaux is entering a latest chapter under Mayor Thomas Cazenave, who secured victory in the recent municipal elections promising a shift in priorities for the city. Cazenave’s agenda centers on bolstering security, improving urban cleanliness, and addressing housing challenges – issues that resonated with voters after a term under Pierre Hurmic. The new administration is outlining ambitious plans, backed by a significant budget increase for key areas, signaling a clear departure from some of the policies of the previous administration.
At the heart of Cazenave’s platform is a commitment to restoring a sense of security throughout Bordeaux. He’s unveiled what he calls a “plan Marshall de sécurité et d’autorité,” a comprehensive strategy focused on increased police presence and modern security tools. This initiative will see the security budget rise to €20 million, a €4 million increase compared to the budget under Hurmic, according to the city’s plans. The plan includes a commitment to relighting all public areas throughout the night, doubling the number of municipal police officers, and establishing 24/7 surveillance coverage in frequently visited areas. A new municipal police station is planned for the Saint-Michel/Capucins district, alongside three smaller police outposts in Grand-Parc, on the right bank, and in Caudéran. Cazenave too intends to create a dedicated night police brigade.
A Focus on Cleanliness and Public Spaces
Beyond security, Cazenave has identified urban cleanliness as a major priority. He intends to establish a “force d’intervention rapide” – a rapid response team – comprised of a doubled number of agents deployed across all neighborhoods. The plan also calls for an increase in the number of public restrooms, the implementation of artificial intelligence-powered sensors in trash bins to optimize collection routes, a large-scale weeding program for sidewalks, and monthly mobile collection points for bulky waste. The apply of AI to manage waste collection, a relatively new approach, aims to improve efficiency and reduce overflowing bins, a common complaint among residents.
Supporting Families and Seniors
The new administration is also outlining plans to support families and the elderly. Cazenave intends to prioritize thermal renovations of schools, reversing a previous initiative by Hurmic that focused on greening schoolyards. He also plans to expand access to childcare through partnerships with registered childminders and create “respites” – support centers – for single-parent families and parents of children with disabilities. For seniors, the focus will be on providing support to enable them to remain in their homes for as long as possible, alongside a new network of electric shuttle services and partnerships between schools and senior residences.
Economic Attractiveness and Investment
Cazenave is signaling a more proactive approach to economic development than his predecessor. He stated his ambition to place Bordeaux among the top three most dynamic metropolitan areas in France within the next fifteen years. He’s advocating for a preference for local businesses in public procurement, though he acknowledges that changes to procurement codes are beyond the scope of the mayor’s office. A “Je choisis Bordeaux” (I choose Bordeaux) campaign is planned to attract talent and investment, alongside an annual international event aimed at securing foreign investment. To support local commerce, the city is considering offering two hours of free parking in public garages on weekends.
A Pragmatic Approach to Ecology
Even as acknowledging the importance of environmental concerns, Cazenave is adopting a more pragmatic approach to ecology. He stated that his administration’s efforts will move “beyond simple greening” to focus on adapting the city to climate change. This includes a “plan fraîcheur” – a cooling plan – featuring shade structures, fountains, and light-colored materials to mitigate the urban heat island effect. He also aims to make Bordeaux a leader in wastewater recycling for irrigation and cleaning purposes. This represents a shift from the previous administration’s emphasis on extensive tree planting, which Cazenave has suggested was insufficient.
Revisiting Transportation Plans
Cazenave has pledged to address what he describes as “anarchy” in Bordeaux’s streets, promising to regulate traffic flow and restore order. He’s announced plans for a “new generation” tramway, but has effectively shelved previous proposals for a metro and cable car system, as reported by Sud Ouest. He also intends to revive plans for a bypass around the eastern part of the metropolitan area.
Addressing the Housing Crisis
Addressing Bordeaux’s housing shortage is another key priority. Cazenave estimates that between 500 and 1,000 vacant office spaces could be converted into residential units. He also aims to streamline regulations and procedures to facilitate housing development. Notably, he has signaled an end to the “Bâtiment frugal bordelais” (Bordeaux Frugal Building) label, a program championed by his predecessor but criticized for increasing construction costs, as detailed by Sud Ouest. He announced the launch of new construction projects to increase housing availability for residents.
The coming months will be crucial as Cazenave’s administration begins to implement these ambitious plans. The next key step will be the detailed allocation of the increased security budget and the launch of the rapid response team for cleanliness. Residents and stakeholders will be closely watching to see how these initiatives translate into tangible improvements in the quality of life in Bordeaux.
What are your thoughts on the new direction for Bordeaux? Share your comments below, and please share this article with others interested in the future of this vibrant city.
Keep reading
