Greater Paris: Clément Beaune argues for the merger of Paris and the inner suburbs

The capital could be about to undergo the most significant administrative reform in its history for over a century. In a report published by the High Commission for Strategy and Planning, headed by Clément Beaune, several proposals are put forward to fundamentally transform the organization of Greater Paris and better adapt institutions to the demographic and economic realities of the Île-de-France region.

The report's authors believe that Paris's current boundaries no longer reflect the reality of a catchment area that extends far beyond the ring road. While the population of the inner suburbs has grown significantly in recent decades, the capital remains organized according to a division inherited from the 19th century. For Clément Beaune, the development of Greater Paris now requires a reflection on more coherent governance at the metropolitan level.

A unique community of over 7 million inhabitants

The main proposal is to create a "Greater Paris City" encompassing Paris and the three departments of the inner suburbs: Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, and Val-de-Marne. This new territorial entity would have approximately 7,2 million inhabitants and would replace several existing administrative structures.

The plan also includes the elimination of the inner suburban departments, the Greater Paris Metropolis, and the municipalities concerned. The entire area would be reorganized around approximately forty districts tasked with ensuring close ties with residents while simplifying territorial governance.

Simplify the administrative "layer cake"

According to the High Commission for Planning, this reform would put an end to the current overlapping of responsibilities between municipalities, departments, inter-municipal bodies, the Greater Paris Metropolis, and the Île-de-France Region. Areas such as urban planning, housing, economic development, ecological transition, and transportation could then be managed in a more transparent and efficient manner.

Clément Beaune points out, however, that such a transformation would require a broad national debate and strong state involvement. The issue could therefore be raised in discussions leading up to the 2027 presidential and municipal elections, given the considerable institutional, financial, and political stakes of such a reform.