The 2016 NOTRe Act (Nouvelle Organisation Territoriale de la République) redefined the boundaries of the French administrative regions, strengthening their competences in core areas of the BRGM's activities. In early 2017, the BRGM presented the new organisational structure and services it has developed to meet new expectations arising from the reform.
Territorial reform: BRGM's new regional network
Reorganising the regional network for optimum responsiveness
The 2016 territorial reform under the NOTRe Act divided France into 13 administrative regions instead of the previous 22. In order to optimise the work of its agencies across France, the BRGM decided to reorganise its regional network to match the new administrative boundaries while maintaining its responsiveness to its local partners.
Thirteen regional BRGM divisions have been established, one in each of the new Regions in mainland France, with five of the existing agencies continuing their activities as regional delegations. The BRGM network overseas comprises five regional divisions and two agencies.
Carte du nouveau réseau régional du BRGM.
© BRGM
New local government competences in core areas of the BRGM's activities
The reform was also an opportunity for the BRGM's Regional Activities Division to define, with support from the Development Division, a new strategic approach for the BRGM's regional network.
Under the NOTRe Act, economic and spatial planning competences are transferred to the Regions. For the BRGM, this is both an opportunity and a challenge.
Waste management, urban planning and wastewater competences have also been transferred to inter-municipal and major city authorities, which also opens up new prospects for the BRGM in core topic areas such as water and risks.
With this reform, the BRGM is in a position to become a leading player in helping the Regions to develop their strategies on major issues including water resources, natural risk prevention, renewable energy, environmental protection and waste management.