Les conflits d'infrastructures en Ile de France. Des révélateurs des imperfections de la décision publique dans les espaces ruraux et périurbains

The article offers an empirically-based analysis of conflicts over public utility infrastructures in the Paris region. It sheds some light on public decision-making process and on the role conflicts play in the process of land availability. Area tends to be lessened due to economic development and urban sprawling. The need of space for urbanization is undeniable, but the margin for operations is reducing because of growing scarcity of available land. Empirical evidence based on courts records show that conflicts on infrastructures occur mainly in peri-urban spaces, in relatively small and wealthy towns. Being proof of the local inhabitant?s non satisfaction, the conflicts could be seen as an echo of the struggle between needs of urbanization and land preservation. The article also spots on the complexity and the ambiguity of the public decision-making process, by offering a critical lecture of its principles and its application in terms of infrastructure project.