Mulhouse : industrial tradition and a metropolitan future

Mulhouse's economy declined after its industrial period of glory during the nineteenth century. Since 1989, it has entered into a phase of renovation thanks to the impetus given to it by its mayor, Jean-Marie Bockel. The creation of a 'tram-train' (a tramway designed to run both on the route of an urban tramway and on existing railway tracks), which will start functioning in 2006, is symbolic of this new chapter. Jean-Marie Bockel explains the origins of an innovation of this scale, how decisions are made, and the how the project is to be carried out. He demonstrates how this project combines with other urban redevelopment projects (such as housing renovation, policies with respect to companies and executives, and so on), and its large periphery (unification of the Mulhouse territory, co-operation with neighbouring towns, etc.). To renovate Mulhouse, other advantages exist such as the proximity of the German and Swiss towns of Freiburg and Basel. Mobilising such advantages requires a great deal of perseverance.