The Planning Operational Mechanism of the Special Policy Zone in France and Its Inspiration for Detailed Planning in China:A Case Study Based on the Protocol Development Zone of Paris

LI Zhenshen; HUANG Ying; LIN Ruochen; CHEN Yongming

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-0232.2025.06.002

Abstract：The special policy zones of cities can be traced back to the specific intention area of flexible regulation rules in the zoning reform of New York,United States,in the 1960s.The early related practices in China appeared as economic and technological development zones.Since the 21st century,it has been transformed into"key areas"represented by the central business district,a core area of the new city,key functional platforms,and major project plates.To date,the institutional development of the special policy zone is characteristic of multilevel policy supply,coordination among various departments,and the coexistence of multilevel planning and design such as development planning,special planning,detailed planning,and architectural design. France's protocol development zone(zone d'am é nagement concert é)can provide important references to the governance concept transformation and policy design of China's territory spatial detailed planning.By observing and analyzing the institutional framework,the operational mechanism,and the implementation effectiveness of the protocol development zone of Paris,France,this study finds that the protocol development zone has a dual nature of regulation and planning in terms of legal status.It is both a local legal regulation with universal binding force and a planning text that reflects local development goals.The operation mechanism of the protocol development zone reflects the negotiation and empowerment throughout the entire process.In the establishment phase,it is a public action involving multiple parties,including government departments,public institutions,market-oriented enterprises,land ownership parties,social groups,residents,and multiple other subjects.In the implementation research phase,the principle of public private cooperation plays an important role,including two modes of government implementation and franchising.In the Level 1 land development phase,four ways of land acquisition were adopted:friendly negotiation,priority purchase,general acquisition,and voluntary expropriation.In the project construction phase,the chief landscape designer,coordinating architect,and project architect carry out design control jointly,reflecting the government's empowerment behavior in the planning and design management process. In ZAC Clichy Batignolles in Paris,the universal rules of local urban planning can be adapted to specific needs by revising the proportion and boundaries of zoning,adjusting the requirements for building setbacks along the central park,relaxing building height limits,and replacing single plot ratio with overall plot ratio.During the development process,the implementation approach of government investment and franchising linkage is adopted to maximize the sharing of financial pressure and balance the interests of the government,market,and original land owners.The"Four Committees"—the Strategic Guidance Committee,Technical Supervision Committee,Owner Coordination Committee,and Owner Technical Committee System-promote vertical and horizontal interaction in problem definition,benefit allocation,external recruitment,and knowledge mobilization.In addition,the public participation mechanism was implemented using various forms in three stages around 12 topics. The experience of spatial detailed planning compilation,management,and implementation governance is summarized according to China's national territory spatial planning reform in the new period.First,it is necessary to accurately divide zones that require differentiated policy support according to the urban development strategy.Urban planning should strengthen the guidance of development goals and guarantee public facilities and implementation arrangements based on covering universal compilation content,reserve sufficient adaptability and flexibility,and enhance planning implementation.Second,it is necessary to strengthen the coordination of multiple interests and enhance the efficiency and governance of planning.It is suggested that the power,responsibility and interest relationships between the government and the market's"community of interests"be standardized.The plan should be promoted through government empowerment in multiple ways.It should further explore the decision-making power of multiple particles;establish and improve supporting systems such as delegated representative rules;attach detailed attention to the process design and organization of planning,negotiation,and decision-making behavior;and strengthen the model of"government driven,experts,enterprises,and social organizations jointly guiding,and residents participating".This will guide development toward a broader and deeper direction in terms of empowerment subjects and levels.