1. Can you briefly introduce the city of Argentan and its main challenges?

Didier Dumont: Argentan, located in the Orne department, 200 km from Paris and 73 km from the sea, lies in the heart of historical and cultural Normandy. Surrounded by greenery, the city is a popular destination for history and nature lovers. Its rich heritage includes Saint-Germain Church, Saint-Nicolas Chapel, and the manor house that now hosts the courthouse. The Fernand Léger - André Mare Museum showcases works by renowned local artists. Green spaces like the Noé Park offer moments of relaxation in the city center. In terms of gastronomy, Argentan proudly promotes Norman local products, with its flavorful cheeses, artisanal ciders, and even a Michelin-starred restaurant.
To boost its appeal, the city is rolling out numerous economic development projects. An ambitious revitalization plan for the city center includes housing, retail, public spaces, mobility, infrastructure, and energy transition.

2. Can you share a concrete example or a data point illustrating your experience with MyTraffic?

Didier Dumont: In 2024, foot traffic in Argentan’s city center increased by 8%, averaging 49,000 additional visits per month. For a city of 14,000 inhabitants, this is a significant result that helped me highlight our efforts to the main local merchants' association.

3. How does CityManager help you better understand foot traffic patterns in different areas of your territory?

Didier Dumont: A concrete example involved a major economic player who wanted to stay in Argentan but was unsure about the best location. Thanks to CityManager, I analyzed the data and confirmed that their current area had the highest traffic, which helped them make an informed decision.

4. How do CityManager's insights influence your decisions on urban planning and development?

Didier Dumont: CityManager’s data serves as a valuable indicator for measuring foot traffic across different zones. For instance, it supported the decision to open a small grocery store in a neighborhood undergoing renovation, aligned with observed traffic flows.

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

Didier Dumont: For the Christmas market, we used precise zoning to track attendance. We’re currently awaiting the data for the 2025 edition to refine our analysis further.

6. What CityManager insights are most useful for guiding your mobility and transport strategies?

Didier Dumont: In 2023, CityManager data helped assess traffic patterns and guided the renovation of a key roundabout at the city’s entrance.

7. How does CityManager help you tailor urban projects to meet the needs of the local population and commercial catchment areas?

Didier Dumont: We launched an initiative to boost foot traffic for both permanent and mobile vendors in the city center. With MyTraffic, I’ll be able to measure the impact, particularly on Fridays, which is market day.
Another example is the Fête de la Musique: with the increase from 15 to 20 bands, the elected officials asked me to compare attendance data to evaluate the effect of this expanded program.

8. In your view, what are the main strengths of MyTraffic in supporting your development projects in the short, medium, and long term?

Didier Dumont: In the short term, MyTraffic helps quickly identify opportunities; in the medium term, it supports the optimization of commercial locations and performance tracking; and in the long term, it strengthens a sustainable urban development strategy by enhancing attractiveness and reducing risks.

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