Marseille: Macron promises 1.5 billion euros for transport, culture and security
Marseille: Macron promises 1.5 billion euros for transport, culture and security
The president yesterday unveiled the plan “Marseille en grand”
September 2nd, the President of the Republic delivered a long speech in Marseilles, in the presence of local and regional representatives, members of the business world, members of the cabinet and civil society. The reason: Emmanuel Macron announced an urgent mega-project for the development of the second largest French city until 2030, worth 1.5 billion euros.
Named “Marseille en grand” (Marseille in a big way), it will pay the state money into transport, culture and safety and should take place with the active participation of the local community, according to the presidency.
The lion’s share goes to transport
President Macron, visiting the port city, detailed a series of measures aimed at solving multiple problems facing the city, such as poverty, exclusion, crime, in the context of three emergencies – security, social and health order.
In terms of security, Mr. Macron underlined the nagging problems of organized drug trafficking and police harassment. To respond to this problem, 200 other police officers will be deployed in the territory from next year, in addition to the 100 who arrived in 2021; strengthening video surveillance and equipping police officers and improving their working conditions are also part of the plan.
In the social field, the President was a little less clear, speaking of an increased mobilization of national and local authorities for a broader approach to poverty. The latter, along with associations, are responsible for supporting families in education, sport, culture and decent housing. Although he appeared at the start of the school year, the President did not specify the amount of aid that schools will receive and which (out of 174 requiring urgent repairs) will be adapted to the contemporary needs of learners.
Finally, for the health emergency, Macron mentioned the shortcomings of Marseille health services and the drop in vaccination rates in certain neighborhoods. Tens of millions of euros will thus be devoted to renovating hospitals, strengthening mother-child care and creating a Maison de la Femme. He pledged to tackle the lack of medical services and doctors in some urban areas. As a result, a 169 million euros budget shared with local communities will go to the health emergency.
Furthermore, one billion euros, including 250 million in subsidies, will be committed by the State both for accessibility and for specific metro automation projects, the creation of four tram lines and five high-level bus lines. The objective of major transport developments will be to open up the northern districts and connect the north and south of Marseille.
Culture has also been identified as a mainstay of the economy, with cinema and film series receiving special attention. Also, the Odysséo project was announced, which aims to become a major place of education and awareness of the protection of the Mediterranean environment, among others.
Macron has vowed to return in October and February to monitor the progress of the plan.
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