Can you introduce the city of Alès and its main challenges in a few words?

Mathieu Villermy: Alès is the second most dynamic city in France within its demographic category and the third in terms of population growth. With 45,500 inhabitants in 2024 (compared to 40,870 in 2021), it is experiencing strong attractiveness.

Located at the gateway to the Cévennes and bordered by the Gardon River, Alès offers a balanced living environment between urban dynamism and vast natural spaces. Its fully renovated city center and its classified sites, such as the Causses, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, further enhance its appeal.

Could you share a concrete example, a key figure illustrating your experience with MyTraffic?

Mathieu Villermy: MyTraffic data shows that foot traffic in the city center increased by 16% between 2022 and 2024, reaching its highest level ever recorded.

Although overall consumption has declined, we observe that 61% of city center visitors in 2024 come from outside the area, which helps mitigate the effects of this economic downturn.

How does CityManager help you better understand traffic dynamics in different districts of your territory?

Mathieu Villermy: CityManager allows us to analyze the impact of construction work, commercial initiatives, and cultural events on foot traffic. These insights help us better understand visitor flow variations and adjust our strategies accordingly.

However, interpreting these numbers can sometimes be complex, as foot traffic depends on multiple external factors.

How do CityManager data influence your decisions regarding urban planning and development?

Mathieu Villermy: The CityManager platform is a tool for assessing the city’s attractiveness and supporting entrepreneurs in their location decisions. The data helps us identify the most promising areas and guide our efforts to enhance the city center’s economic vitality.

How does CityManager allow you to track the impact of your local initiatives on foot traffic and economic vitality?

Mathieu Villermy: Thanks to CityManager, we were able to measure the impact of the renovations at Halles de l'Abbaye and analyze how they shifted foot traffic patterns. These insights allow us to anticipate future changes and refine our urban planning strategies accordingly.

What CityManager data are essential for shaping your mobility and transportation strategies?

Mathieu Villermy: CityManager helps us tailor parking and transportation options to residents’ and visitors’ needs. Key initiatives include:

Free park-and-ride parking lots connected by shuttle services,

Optimized parking solutions, such as short-term parking zones and a "free first hour" policy,

Development of sustainable mobility options, including pedestrian-friendly zones, shared spaces, and bike lanes.

In your opinion, what are the main advantages of MyTraffic in supporting your short, medium, and long-term development projects?

Mathieu Villermy: The reliability and objectivity of MyTraffic data are major assets.

Discover how to use MyTraffic data to boost your city centre