French municipal district

In France, the municipal districts are a territorial subdivision some common having an important population.

Role and administration

Each commune of France is managed by a Municipal council and a Maire. However, because of their size, the communes of Paris, Lyon and Marseilles were divided respectively into 20,9 and 16 municipal districts. In Marseilles, the districts were gathered in sectors; each sector gathers two districts, the city being thus composed of 8 sectors. The sector functioning like a municipal district.

Each municipal district (or sector for Marseilles), is equipped with a Conseil of district chaired by a Maire of district. The council of district is composed for a third of city council men, elected on the level of the commune, and for two thirds of advisers elected on the level of the district. The mayor of district is elected by the council of district; he must be city council man.

The functions of the council and the mayor of district are the following ones:

  • the council of district can address questions written to the mayor of the commune about any business interesting the district. It can also ask the municipal council to discuss these businesses;

  • the council of district is consulted by the municipal council on the projects whose execution will take place on the territory of the district. The council delivers in particular its opinion on the questions concerning the subsidies to local associations and the modifications of the Local plan of town planning. It manages the utility services of proximity, but must obtain the agreement of the municipal council for launching new programs of establishment;
  • the residences whose attribution concerns the commune and who are located in the district are allotted for half by the mayor of district and for half by the mayor of the commune;
  • the municipal council and the mayor of the commune can delegate certain powers to the councils and to the mayors of district;
  • the mayor of district and his assistants are officers of the civil statue in the district;
  • the council of district can create councils of district. These councils of district allow the inhabitants to regularly meet to work out proposals relating to the life of their district.

History

For the districts of Paris and their evolution during the history, to see the articles Districts of Paris and Old districts of Paris. For Lyon, to see the article Districts of Lyon. For Marseilles, to see the article Districts of Marseilles.

In 1795, the commune of Paris was divided into 12 districts. This figure carried with 20 during the extension of the commune in 1860.

The districts of Lyon were created as from 1852 (and their number increased into 1867,1912,1959 and 1964), those of Marseilles in 1946.

The law of December 31st, 1982, known as Law PLM, organized the administration of these three cities and their districts. The law of February 27th, 2002, relating to the democracy of proximity, increased the capacities of the council of district and the mayor of district.

The town of Algiers, when it was French, was also divided into districts (decree 59-321 of February 24th, 1959). There were 10 of them.

Project

See too

Internal bonds

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