Page 152 - 360.revista de Alta Velocidad - Nº 6

Beckerich, Christophe. Benoit, Sylvie. Delaplace, Marie.

If we compare the business activities present in Reims (dominated by commercial and repair
activities; 23.63%), each of the two areas studied is quite highly specialized: in service‐sector
activities in Clairmarais, and in industry‐related administrative activities in Bezannes.
The types of firms are also somewhat different: firms tend to be smaller in Clairmarais than in
Bezannes (Table 4). With this in mind, business sector (services) and company size are factors
likely to explain a greater frequency of use of the HST (see below).

Furthermore, analysis of the dates of implementation shows differentiated dynamics.

Table 4. Size of firms in each district

Size Bezannes Clairmarais
Small and medium‐sized businesses 20.00% 11.76%

Very small businesses 80,00% 88.24%
Total 100.00% 100.00%

Source: authors’ own work.

In late 2009, in Bezannes, 53% of the total floor area of the mixed development zone (in French,
ZAC, or zone d’aménagement concerté) intended for business use remained unoccupied, and
there were not many new constructions (see above).

Figure 5. The dates and types of locations in each district
Source: authors’ own work.

9
The economic context hampered its development , as well as the creation of other business
parks in the metropolitan area. Development accelerated in 2013 and 2014 (see Figure 5)
with endogenous creations (i.e. business creations originating from within the local area)
representing 50% of company locations.

9 Archaeological excavations also delayed operations.

150 360.revista de alta velocidad