Final presentation "The Operational study of solidary land systems to support the implementation of sustainable affordable housing"

THE PERIOD OF RENDERING OF GROUP PROJECTS BEGAN. DISCOVER THE WORK OF OUR STUDENTS.

The Project "The Operational study of solidary land systems to support the implementation of sustainable affordable housing"

Commissioning organisation: Altarea Cogedim

Students: Camille Boursiez, Viktorie Fiserova, Jacques Longo and Adèle Sorge from the Urban planning programme

Work realised: 

Experienced up to now by social donors or communities, the Organisme de Foncier Solidaire (OFS), is this time seen under the prism of a particular private actor: the private real estate developer. At the request of Altarea Cogedim, the group of four students carried out a study to analyse the existing practices and the operational application, both legal, economic and financial, of an OFS carried out by a real estate developer. To do this, this research is based on more than fifty benchmarks and interviews conducted in several countries around the world with leading actors. 

Governed mainly by the ALUR law and the July 2016 Order, the diptych OFS/BRS is a response to a tense and expensive housing market in the large French metropolises that see the intermediate social classes fleeing the centers for the periphery. It is based on two major principles: the dissociation between the building and the land and a long-term rechargeable lease, the Solidary Real Lease (BRS).

This mechanism is the French transposition of the “Community Land Trust” created in the United States in the 1970s. While the original model puts the community of inhabitants at the forefront, this notion has been attenuated by the actors responsible for the circulation of the model in continental Europe and more particularly in France. Encouraged by the central government and by the communities who see it as a means of sustaining public money while building up land, the OFS’ benefit from measures designed to stimulate its development. In a system marked by a strong incrementalism, and despite the displayed will of some actors, the tools and instruments allowing the device evolve iteratively. In this experimental context, three groups of OFS are now identifiable: local authority OFS, EPF OFS and operator OFS.

The study is based on the positioning of stakeholders, particularly through their economic profiles. Thus, household balance sheets, of the OFS and the real estate developer are analysed to show the windows of opportunities relevant for the development of real estate transactions involving equalization between housing units in BRS and open housing.

This approach is territorialized within the metropolis of Grand Paris through three case studies: the XXth arrondissement of Paris, Montreuil and Pierrefitte-sur-Seine. These sites are as many economic and territorial realities as they are of different habitat markets and make it possible to make a diagnosis of the territories relevant for the implementation of OFS/BRS operations. Despite the substantial expenditure of public money, it appears that the scheme has a real impact in the tense environments of Paris and Montreuil and could allow revenues located around the 5th decile to remain in metropolitan centres.

In order to help it position itself as a responsible actor in the face of contemporary housing challenges, the group proposes several development scenarii to Cogedim Paris Métropole. It appears that the one positioning the sponsor as an engaged partner is the most viable while respecting its need for liquidity and leading it towards alternative and innovative solutions. As a result, a reduced lease to 18 years of age and apartments targeting large and small households could allow it to present a complementary offer to those already existing.

What is a workgroup?

Called also capstone or group project, this highlight of Master's degrees puts the students in professional situation. These have to answer to an order of a private or public structure on an urban or territorial problem (housing environment, planning, economic development, transport, mobility, etc.). 

During 5 to 9 months (according to the course), every team from 4 to 5 students works under the supervision of a tutor, a specialist of the handled question. The project ends in an oral presentation of the students to the commissioning organisation. This period of renditions takes place of the end of May to the middle of June. >