SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Article
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Facts and Figures
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Areal Focus Points
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Areal Milestones
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Areal Atmosphere
People behind SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS

Founded and marketed by an non-profit-making economic interest group in 1969, the creation programme of a scientific park has been able to be extended thanks to the strength of wilful people from the Alpes Maritimes department, from the State, from the P.A.C.A region and from the five first towns (Biot, Valbonne, Mougins, Vallauris and Antibes), which cover 2300 hectares of lands.

Four other towns (Villeneuve-Loubet, La Colle sur Loup, Opio and Roquefort les Pins) have joined them to contribute to the Park extension project.

There are 1227 corporate names. 25 911 direct jobs have been created in the Park / 1260 companies.

Source:http://www.sophia-antipolis.org/Sophia%20Antipolis/lesite/lesite(anglais).htm#parc

In just one generation we have seen the “Latin Quarter in the fields” described by Pierre LAFFITTE in his article published by Le Monde newspaper in 1960, grow into a Science Park known throughout the world. In this time a success story has been created in not only economic terms, but also on a social, cultural level. It is also known because of its concern for urban development, the environment and the repercussions on society as a whole.

But Sophia Antipolis would not have become a reality had it not been for concerted action on a local and national level. In his speech at the centenary of the French Riviera Chamber of Commerce, in 1960, the French minister Jean-Marcel JEANNENEY, spoke about the potential for economic diversity in the region by encouraging service industries and research.

The actual launch of Pierre LAFITTE’s ideas done privately was quickly taken up and developed at State level. So the local authorities all worked together to bring about this project: the five original communes (Antibes, Biot, Mougins, Valbonne and Vallauris), the Alpes-Maritimes Local Council, the French Riviera Chamber of Commerce (which on the initiative of the President Jean-Jacques ROBERT would ensure that everything became fully operational and the decisive support of the State with the DATAR and successive prefects – René-Georges THOMAS and Pierre LAMBERTIN among the first ones.

And so Sophia Antipolis was born. It was then made official by the Comité Interministériel d’Aménagement du Territoire (Interministerial Committee for Land Development) in April 1972, led by a joint syndicate developer, in 1974, under the name of SYMIVAL, which then became SYMISA, presided over by Francis PALMERO, and so Jacques MEDECIN became President of the Alpes-Maritimes General Council. SYMIVAL delegated the same year, the operational work load of Sophia Antipolis to the French Riviera Chamber of Commerce.

An economic development model had come into being and continues to serve as a reference for the whole world

In just 30 years of hope, human and financial investment have transformed a mad dream, thought up in the scrubland, into the construction of a technological and human community that plays a role in the world economy.

Source:http://www.sophia-antipolis.net/uk/ (Sophia’s Concept)

A development charter for companies

The development principles of Sophia Antipolis largely contribute to its success. The working environment thus created makes for an extremely high quality of life, which fosters creativity and productivity and comforts worldwide specialists that Sophia Antipolis is the perfect choice.

The development principles of the park allow the 2,300 hectares (1/4 of the area of Paris) of green land, business sites, inhabited areas and leisure zones to come together harmoniously. These principles were decreed in a charter by the Ministry for the Environment in 1976, just 4 years after the actual creation of the park in its current form.

Keeping 2/3 of the total area as green land

This charter imposes the ratio of 2/3 to 1/3 of green belt land to developed area as well as making sure than any construction fits in harmoniously to the surrounding area ensuring a balance between the two. No exceptions are to be made to the charter’s main principles.

The 1,500 hectares of green land planted with Mediterranean species make up the “Green Belt” around Sophia Antipolis. This Departmental park land is largely accessible to the public.

The 150 hectares dedicated to leisure and inhabited areas are the home for almost 3,500 families of which 70% come from outside of the park to avoid a ghettoisation effect.

The 650 hectares left are for national and international companies as well as research organisations and centres for higher education.

The 800 hectares of leisure and inhabited areas are subject to a coefficient of 30% of land occupancy. A quick calculation of the construction ratios shows that only 10% of the 2,300 hectares of the park will be mineralised in the long term.

Harmony between buildings and landscape

No building can exceed the height of the highest point of the hills around Sophia. The buildings are elegant using solar panels on the roof and balconies often covered with bushes showing the freedom of expression left to the architect.

Olive and pine trees are reflected in the glass facades of the buildings. Company cafeterias often look out onto water. 40 tennis courts, 5 golf ranges and various other sporting facilities finish off the whole respecting the environment.

Source: http://www.sophia-antipolis.net/uk/ (Development of Sophia)

One can often hear executives and managers in Sophia Antipolis based companies saying that " Sophia Antipolis is a place where the grey matter likes to settle down to stay and prosper “.

At a time when the world economy is facing the rough ride that we know all too well, Sophia Antipolis remains a site where technological advances are developed to produce new applications, new tools and new forms of business.

But Sophia Antipolis is not only a pleasant place to work. People study and live here too.

The 150 hectares dedicated to greenery, leisure and to residential areas are home to 2,300 families.

The 1,500 hectares of greenery planted with Mediterranean species that surround the park make up the " green belt " of Sophia Antipolis. Space made into parks that are largely open to the public.

Source: http://www.sophia-antipolis.net/uk/ (Life in Sophia)

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* Structure and features of the building and housing stock, building-use distribution. Building density.
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SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Areal Milestones
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Facts and Figures
SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Areal Atmosphere

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SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Facts and Figures
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SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Areal Focus Points

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SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS Facts and Figures

http://www.sophia-antipolis.net/uk/
http://www.sophia-antipolis.org/Sophia%20Antipolis/lesite/lesite(anglais).htm

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