As soon as she arrived, Véronique Sarselli made a bold political move by putting a major urban development project on hold. In Lyon, the suspension of preparatory work on the “Right Bank” project has been announced like a true thunderclap. The technical operations planned on the banks of the Rhône, especially to relocate strategic electrical infrastructures, are now halted. This immediate decision sends a clear signal: the new metropolitan majority intends to re-evaluate the major projects left over from the previous era.
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This ambitious project aimed to radically transform the Presqu'île by reducing the space for cars and reconnecting the city to its river. Led by former president Bruno Bernard, “Right Bank” was set to metamorphose 2.5 km of quays into a green walkway, complete with bike paths and tranquil spaces. The goal was clear: to eliminate a true urban highway crossed daily by tens of thousands of vehicles. This project was as spectacular as it was divisive, especially for drivers and some local elected officials.
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A political cohabitation (already) under tension
The suspension of the project already highlights the frictions between the right-leaning Metropolis and the ecologist City. In this novel political landscape, Grégory Doucet and Véronique Sarselli will have to find a way to work together. The president emphasizes the need for “consultation” with the mayors, while pointing out the heavy impacts on traffic. In effect, this puts the entire Lyon urban planning strategy back on the table, balancing urban ecology and economic pragmatism.
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This first decision could set the tone for the upcoming years in the Lyon metropolis. Behind “Right Bank”, there’s a clash of visions for the city: gentle mobility versus car traffic, ecological transformation versus daily constraints. One thing is for sure, this project is not buried… but definitely back on the table. And in Lyon, the political drama is just getting started.