Clermont Auvergne Metropole – A Qualitative Insight on Urban Mobility Planning

Since 2018, CAM has represented 21 communes surrounding the city of Clermont-Ferrand in the central French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The area, situated in the heart of France, measures 300 km2 and is home to 450,000 people.

Clermont-Ferrand hosts the headquarters of Michelin, the second-largest tire manufacturer worldwide, which was founded in Clermont-Ferrand in 1889. Clermont-Ferrand initiated the construction of an International Network of Michelin Cities, which now includes more than 40 partners. Cities in the network strive to develop public and private partnerships that drive innovation in public policy.

Clermont-Ferrand’s mobility challenges

The considerable urban sprawl and concentration of economic opportunities in the center of Clermont-Ferrand, combined with a prevalence of infrastructure dedicated to motorized vehicles, has naturally led to a focus on car-oriented mobility.

Poor inter-modality leads to low use of public transport while easy car access to the city center leads to pollution, congestion and parking difficulties. Active mobility uptake is slow, partly due to the geography of the city: half of the urban area is mountainous, including the city center, with steep streets connecting the municipality to the volcanic range “Chaîne des Puys”.

The city’s mobility vision aims to develop a fully integrated network that guarantees efficient mobility, cleaner environment and equitable access to services and economic opportunities to all region’s dwellers.

CAM’s sustainable urban mobility plan aims to reduce congestion and pollution.

The main features are:

• encouraging a shift away from motorized vehicles towards public transport and active modes by improving inter-modality,
• providing more opportunities for cycling and walking and
• promoting behavioral change