REVISIONS AND MODIFICATIONS - THE EFFECT OF CHANGE ON FRENCH PLANS-DOCCUPATION-DES-SOLS

Ensuring certainty in planning policy at the same time as allowing for flexibility to meet unforeseen circumstances is an issue that confron ts all planning system. The problem is particularly acute in those sys tems, such as the French, which place a high premium on legal certaint y by using zoning and regulations as the main means of control. Inevit ably there are various means by which the rules may be circumvented. T his paper is about the use of formal mechanisms to modify and revise p lans d'occupation des sols (POSs; local land-use plans) in force. Thes e procedures have caused some concern because of the frequency of thei r use, in particular in the conurbation of Lyon. The paper presents a study of the frequency of changes to POSs in Lyon and the content of t hose changes in the eastern sector of the conurbation. The conclusions drawn from the study are that frequent changes are problematic both f or the ability to maintain strategic policy and for the accountability of decisionmaking. An enhanced role for enquetes publiques (public en quiries) would help. Attention also needs to be given to the way in wh ich regulations are framed. Where necessary, they should recognise the possibility of choice.