Rouen: Rouen Métropole 2050 – Citizens at the Heart of the Transition

Rouen Métropole 2050 consisted of broadly involving residents in the revision of key urban planning and ecological transition documents (SCoT-AEC), in a context of climate urgency and strong social expectations. Winner of the 2025 Décider ensemble Award, the initiative is based on a multi-scalar, inclusive, and iterative participatory process carried out between 2022 and 2025.

More than 3,600 participants contributed through 70 complementary mechanisms: public help desks, online questionnaires, a mobile outreach kiosk, thematic workshops, territorial walks, participatory public meetings, youth workshops, digital consultations, and inter-municipal meetings. This diversity made it possible to reach all audiences and engage the entire territory of the 71 municipalities.

At the core of the initiative was a Citizens’ Convention on Transitions, composed of 80 randomly selected citizens, engaged over nine months in deliberations on planning dilemmas (land-use sobriety, mobility, biodiversity, land use, energy). Its final report — 64 proposals approved by 96% — played a decisive role. At their request, a Citizen Monitoring Committee was created in 2024 to ensure the integration of these proposals into the different stages of the SCoT-AEC, action plans, and the future revision of the Local Urban Plan. This democratic innovation guarantees follow-up, continuity, and long-term monitoring.

The continuous iteration between public consultation and technical planning strongly shaped the methodology: at each stage, citizen contributions helped refine policy directions. Proposals from the Convention, the Sustainable Development Council, the COP Rouen 2030 network, the Assembly of the 71 municipalities, and the general public were incorporated into planning documents. These addressed areas such as fair ecological transition, resource protection, biodiversity, forests, low-carbon mobility, inclusive housing, local commerce, redevelopment of commercial areas, agroecology, the social and solidarity economy, and the management of the Seine River.

Rouen Métropole 2050 embodies a model of shared governance that combines ecological ambition with social justice, aiming for a resilient, low-impact, and inclusive territory. This experience demonstrates that complex planning processes can be co-developed with citizens while addressing climate and regulatory challenges.

More information:
https://jeparticipe.metropole-rouen-normandie.fr/concertation-publique/rouen-metropole-2050
https://www.oidp.net/docs/repo/doc1930.pdf