Haute Borne - Background of la Haute Borne science park





	The semi-public company SAEM Parc Scientifique de La Haute Borne was established in 1997.

The concept of a science park was adopted at the end of the 80s, as part of Lille’s development strategy.

The science park project was outlined in 1988, and aimed to welcome high tech companies at the centre of Greater Lille, in the immediate vicinity of the Science Centre.

The project was confirmed when the Greater Lille Master Development and Town Planning Scheme (SDAU) was drafted in 1993.

The project was incorporated into the Charter of Objectives of Greater Lille, which was initiated in 1993, and reproduced in the Development Charter drafted in 1995 by Lille Metropole Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The project was again confirmed when the new Master Planning Scheme for the district of Lille was adopted, and was included amongst geographical priorities in respect of the Urban Contract.

In 1996, a decision was adopted to establish a semi-public company to complete the project, in terms of the design, implementation and marketing of the site.

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In 1997 and 1998, the newly-established SAEM carried out the preliminary research needed in order to define all aspects of the La Haute Borne Science Park project: economic, marketing, programmatic, urban, environmental, technical, financial and operational aspects, etc.

On the basis of this research, the shareholders endorsed the opportunity of establishing La Haute Borne Science Park, and by amending its articles of association, the SAEM became a development company.

An application to create a designated development area (ZAC) was approved by Lille Metropolitan Urban Community (LMCU) on 18 December 1998.

The ZAC development file was approved by LMCU on 18 June 1999.

A Concession Treaty was notified to the SAEM on 7 December 1999, which enabled it to launch the operational phase of the project. The total duration of the concession has been set at 15 years.

Marketing of the site was able to begin: establishment of COFIDIS, the first part of which was delivered in November 2002, development of the “Europarc” Business Park by Sogeprom and Palm Promotion, development of a hotel residence, development of two CNRS research centres, the Institute of Research on Hardware and Software Components for Information and Advanced Communication (IRCICA) and the Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI), etc.

La Haute Borne Science Park was officially inaugurated on 16 January 2003 under the chairmanship of Pierre MAUROY, Chairman of Lille Metropolitan Urban Community, in the presence of Jean-Michel Stievenard, Mayor of Villeneuve d'Ascq, Martine Aubry, Mayor of Lille, and Bernard Derosier, Member of the National Assembly for the Nord.