Vers une pluralité des échelles de fourniture des services urbains : quels impacts d'une décentralisation des techniques sur la mise en œuvre des services publics en termes de gestion, suivi et prise de décision ?

Abstract

Concerning urban services, the decentralized techniques have known a growing interest partly due to the increasing environmental concern. These new techniques with recognized benefits are favorably considered by public authorities even though their ability to last may occasionally be questioned. These local techniques are also part of a broader and complex existing framework which it is important to understand. From a historical point of view in Western countries, the foundations of the model of the urban services’ contribution rest upon two prevailing principles: an awareness of the reality of public service and of anability to be part of a network. The study of these characteristics in the light of the feedback from the Urban Community of Nantes has brought up a number of questions as to the ways to integrate such decentralized techniques into an already existing system. Now, the action of the public services is not limited to ensuring that the network is operational: the role of public authority, separate from the management organization, appears to be the essential center that ensures the necessary knowledge and global consistency of the system. Many potential structures of management and financing can be set on foot and the tools available for taking decisions have started being adapted by renewed actors and issues.