Établissement Public Foncier de Lorraine

Founded:

March 1973

First modifying decree:

March 1987

Second modifying decree:

December 2001

Operational scope and method

of intervention:

14,717 sq. km covering 113 cantons in the Lorraine region with full powers
23,499 sq. km throughout the Lorraine region as a service provider

EPF Lorraine, a public corporation of an industrial and commercial nature, was founded in 1973 within the framework of the land policy implemented by the public authorities. The Corporation's main task is to help local authorities with their landcontrol projects. Since 1986, it has also had the task of redeveloping damaged areas.

Reserving land

To ensure harmonious territorial development and allow local authorities to carry out their development projects under good conditions, EPF Lorraine acts as a land
operator by buying building-sites in advance. These building-sites are then made available to public and private developers.

To carry out this task, the corporation has itsown resources, which come from the Taxe Speciale d’Equipement (special facilities tax) and from the proceeds of land re-sales. This makes it possible to pre-finance the selected transactions with a low bearing rate, within the framework of agreements concluded with the local authorities.

Re-using damaged sites

To recover sites which have fallen into decay due to the far-reaching industrial and urban changes which have shaken Lorraine over the last few decades, EPF Lorraine implements a procedure to diagnose, refurbish and recycle disused industrial,urban and military sites. These operations are carried out in concert with the local authorities concerned, within the framework of agreements, by decision of the Regional Committee for town and country planning, which groups the State, the Lorraine Regional Council (Conseil Régional de Lorraine) and EPF Lorraine, which cofinance such operations with the support of the European Union.

Town and country planning

Extending its actions to recycle damaged sites, EPF Lorraine may act as contracting authority for development and equipment operations in rapidlychanging areas.

Study and analysis

Thanks to the expertise gained in its various operations, EPF Lorraine carries out technical assessments of the state of sites to be processed with a view to a spatial reorganisation.

EPF Lorraine carries out its activities within the framework of multi-annual intervention programmes approved by the regional Prefect.

EPF is now in its seventh programme, which corresponds to the implementation phase of the 4th State/Region Planning Contract (2000-2006). These activities are implemented by a multidisciplinary team of about sixty people.