The construction industry is thought to represent sales of 150 billion euros, including 128 billion in mainland France and 22 billion in exports or in the French overseas departments and territories. Buildings on their own represent 105 billion euros in sales, compared to 45 billion for public works. In any case, the sector remains in direct contact with the territories on which local authorities have had their jurisdictions specified, thanks to the ongoing territorial reforms. This is particularly true for the regional planning and sustainable development plan for the territory.
Another factor is the recodification of the urban planning code stipulated in the law for access to housing and renovated town planning (“Alur” law). A 2015 ordinance focused, in particular, on slightly amending its first book, the keystone of proper land use, and each town planning document was assigned a title. For its part, the “Macron” law has reformed legislation relating to planning permission and construction projects with an environmental impact, with significant changes in terms of commercial planning. All these developments are complemented by the reform of public procurement and concessions, not to mention energy performance objectives and tax considerations.
Regulations related to the Construction and Town Planning sector impact land, agricultural areas, real estate, social and non-social housing and residential leases, especially in zones where the demand outstrips the supply. The issues of liability, insurance and possible litigation also help to render the matter indistinct.
The Construction and Town Planning sector cannot therefore be approached without the help of the law, on the basis of a number of different but complementary or even indissociable expert appraisals. And this is achieved by legal experts on the ground.
