Everyday transport – a key issue for cities and local residents
As they aim to decarbonise travel, reduce geographical and social inequalities and support local development, transport projects are much more than technical projects. They are catalysts for progress in making regions more inclusive, more ecological and more respectful of resources.
It is to fulfil this promise that Société des grands projets is building the Grand Paris Express and supporting local players seeking to design and introduce new mobility services. These major projects to decarbonise transport ensure that ecological planning is rolled out on a regional scale. They all provide useful solutions to simplify people's daily journeys.
Owner of the Grand Paris Express project
With nearly 1,000 employees, Société des grands projets is one of France's major project owners. It was created in June 2010, originally under the name Société du Grand Paris, to manage the creation of the Grand Paris Express.
Its key missions are:
- To design the Grand Paris Express.
- To oversee delivery of the project: building the lines, structures, stations and facilities, acquiring rolling stock on behalf of Île-de-France Mobilités, creating interconnections with the existing network in coordination with SNCF Réseau and RATP.
- To support the transformation of the metropolitan area through the urban development and property projects around the new stations.
Journée portes ouvertes organisée sur un chantier du Grand Paris Express
© Olivier Brunet / Société des grands projets
Recognised experience in managing complex projects
Société des grands projets is acclaimed for its ability to deploy and coordinate the necessary expertise, and unite the engineering and construction sectors around the project. It is convinced of the need to bring all the stakeholders together under an approach focusing on co-construction in order to successfully bring complex projects to fruition. It is this perspective that enables it to address all aspects of urban and mobility issues.
Supporting local authorities with their SERM projects
The law on metropolitan regional express services (SERM) of 18 December 2023 has granted the Société des grands projets extended powers nationwide. It can now take part in the development of SERM projects at the request of local authorities and the bodies responsible for organising transport.
The law also allows it to be designated by the State or local authorities as the programme manager for the transport infrastructure needed for implementation of SERM projects.
Appointed by the Minister for Transport
- For new infrastructure on the national rail network and new multimodal interchanges and passenger stations.
- For railway lines or sections of line with little or no use for five years.
Appointed by local authorities
- For projects to create or extend public transport infrastructure with at least one connection to the metropolitan regional express service network concerned.
- For railway lines of which ownership or management has been transferred to local authorities.
- For new maintenance workshops.
Société des grands projets can also play a role in the overall coordination of the construction of SERM infrastructure, whether or not it is the programme manager.
Société des grand projects Management Board
The Management Board comprises three members who exercise their functions on a collegiate basis: Jean-François Monteils, Chairman, since 17 March 2021; Bernard Cathelain, since 25 March 2015, and Frédéric Brédillot, since 20 April 2017.
Jean-François Monteils, président du directoire, Bernard Cathelain et Frédéric Brédillot, membres du directoire
© Patrick Gaillardin / Société des grands projets
Dialogue at the core of governance
Dialogue and consultation are essential to the successful outcome of any major transport and development project.
For the Grand Paris Express, we involve all the players at every stage in the design and construction of the new metro: the French government, local authorities, the Greater Paris metropolitan area, regional transport players (Île-de-France Mobilités, RATP, SNCF), trade associations and, of course, local residents.
Elected representatives play a key role in the governance of the Société des grands projets.
The Supervisory Board
Comprised of 21 representatives from the French government and regional communities, the Supervisory Board ensures oversight for Société des grands projets. It approves the agency's policy guidelines and audits its financial statements, as well as development and construction operations.
The Audit and Commitments Committee (ACC) informs the Supervisory Board about Société des grands projets's policies on investment, audits, internal controls, and risk management, as well as provides insight on the opinions and comments issued by the Board. It also manages budgeting, finance and accounting.
The Scientific Council of Economists
The Scientific Council of Economists is composed of economists reputed for their research in geographical economics, and the economic and societal impacts of major transport infrastructure projects.
The Strategy Committee
The Strategy Committee is composed of elected officials from communities affected by the Grand Paris Express and socio-economic stakeholders from the Paris region. Its 182 members debate and issue proposals on the new metro and neighbourhoods near its stations.
The Evaluation Board of the Grand Paris Express
The Evaluation Board of the Grand Paris Express is tasked with assessing the economic, urban, social, and regional aspects of the project.
The cohort that sits on the Board are experts known for their skills and experience in their respective fields.
The committee of experts for cultural initiatives
The Arts Committee was created in 2016, in conjunction with the launch of the artistic commissions in stations. The committee issues opinions and recommendations on the choice of artists and the proposed works. It is also a forum for discussion and advice regarding the implementation of the programme.
The Arts Committee comprises leading figures from the world of culture.
Observatories
Two observatories were spearheaded by Société des grands projets :
- The Land and Real Estate Pricing Observatory, a joint effort of the Ile-de-France region prefecture, and the Paris Chamber of Public Notaries. The Observatory was created in 2013 to track price trends for all types of land and real estate in the vicinity of Grand Paris Express stations, and to provide analysis reports to stakeholders.
- The SME Observatory was formed in 2017 to oversee compliance with the provision to ensure small- and medium-sized business are provided access to contracts and to increase their involvement in the project. It is comprised of chambers of commerce, employers organisations, INSEE (French national institute for statistical and economic studies), and trade federations in the Paris area.