France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, built in the 1960s between the hill of Planoise and the district of
. It is the most populous district of Besançon, with 21,000 inhabitants (17% of the total inhabitants). Its inhabitants are called ''Planoisiens'' and ''Planoisiennes''.
The area is constantly changing and developing. Despite difficult economic and social conditions, Planoise has become a commercial crossroads and a multicultural sector; the area is home to people from over 50 different cultural origins. It is a highly urbanized area (8,700 inhabitants per square kilometer) with few monuments or sites of interest, but the area contains notable buildings like the
The first traces of life in Planoise date back to 3000 BCE, during the
Middle Paleolithic
The Middle Paleolithic (or Middle Palaeolithic) is the second subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age as it is understood in Europe, Africa and Asia. The term Middle Stone Age is used as an equivalent or a synonym for the Middle Paleoli ...
era. Objects were found in the Epoisses area during archaeological excavations, including a flint point dating to the Middle Paleolithic, three bracelets dating to the end of the
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three-age division of the prehistory and protohistory of humanity. It was preceded by the Stone Age (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and the Bronze Age (Chalcolithic). The concept has been mostly appl ...
(500 BCE), and an
oil lamp
An oil lamp is a lamp used to produce light continuously for a period of time using an oil-based fuel source. The use of oil lamps began thousands of years ago and continues to this day, although their use is less common in modern times. Th ...
dating to
Hellenistic Greece
Hellenistic Greece is the historical period of the country following Classical Greece, between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the annexation of the classical Greek Achaean League heartlands by the Roman Republic. This culminated ...
Imperial city of Besançon
Imperial is that which relates to an empire, emperor, or imperialism.
Imperial or The Imperial may also refer to:
Places
United States
* Imperial, California
* Imperial, Missouri
* Imperial, Nebraska
* Imperial, Pennsylvania
* Imperial, Texas ...
, according to Jean de Chalon (earl of
Bourgogne
Burgundy (; french: link=no, Bourgogne ) is a historical territory and former administrative region and province of east-central France. The province was once home to the Dukes of Burgundy from the early 11th until the late 15th century. The c ...
). In the 15th century the clergy of Besançon bought the territory and the hill of Planoise. The name "Planoise" first appears officially in records in 1435. The name comes from the Latin word "planesium", which means "plain." At that time, the sector consisted of a large wood and had few inhabitants, mostly farmers.
Between the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
and the modern era, the area continued to be almost uninhabited. It was an agricultural area, farming mainly potatoes. The prince of
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein (), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (german: link=no, Fürstentum Liechtenstein), is a German-speaking microstate located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy ...
wanted to take the city of Besançon in 1815. He sent an army, which was stopped at Planoise. They abandoned their plans to take the city.
At the beginning of the 20th century, many farms were built in the area. As the population grew, agriculture became a major sector of the economy. The First and Second World Wars did not have a big impact on Planoise, although an American soldier was killed there. At the end of the 1950s, Planoise become a new urban area of Besançon.
Construction began in 1962 on 13,000 new dwellings in Planoise, and continued until 1985. The first inhabitants settled in the new buildings in 1968.
At the beginning of the 1970s, the first shops were under construction, and the church of Planoise was built in 1972. Soon after, Diderot school was built and the Cassin sector expanded. This period is known as the "golden age" of Planoise. In 1977 the population was 12,000 inhabitants.
Like other areas of France at the time, Planoise came into economic and social difficulties. Since 1985 the area has been classed as a "sensitive urban zone" by the municipality, and 40% of the inhabitants aged 18–25 years are unemployed.INSEE.fr Access date 7 October 2009.
In 2005, during the
2005 civil unrest in France
The 2005 French riots (french: Émeutes de 2005 dans les Banlieues Françaises), was a three-week period of riots in the suburbs of Paris and other French cities, in October and November 2005. These riots involved youth in violent attacks, and t ...
, the "Forum" building was burned.
Salah Gaham
The 2005 French riots (french: Émeutes de 2005 dans les Banlieues Françaises), was a three-week period of riots in the suburbs of Paris and other French cities, in October and November 2005. These riots involved youth in violent attacks, and t ...
died in the fire. A policeman was attacked in the Cassin sector in 2009 who was attempting to stop a riot, and there was a hold-up of a bus at the Planoise bus stop in 2008. This followed many strikes by the bus conductors of Besançon public transport.
To stop the civil unrest in Planoise, the municipality tried to react promptly by opening a commissionership in Cassin sector. However, it was burned in 2007. Police presence has been increased in the area. Since 2000, an area of the neighborhood was classed as a "zone franche urbaine" (exoneration of taxes for new firms created over the following 10 years), which has enabled the establishment of many new companies and businesses.
Geography
Planoise is located in the west of Besançon, in the Canton of Besançon-1. Planoise is bounded on the west by
Wildlife in Planoise consists of rats, hedgehogs, and some snakes. Common birds are pigeons and ravens. Many cats and dogs are at large. Livestock, including horses and goats, are kept in the Malcombe area.
Planoise, while urban, has a rich environmental heritage and a lot of wooded space, and urban trees, particularly beeches, firs,
Aesculus
The genus ''Aesculus'' ( or ), with species called buckeye and horse chestnut, comprises 13–19 species of flowering plants in the family Sapindaceae. They are trees and shrubs native plant, native to the temperateness, temperate Northern H ...
, and birches, are present on all streets. The urban park of Planoise is a wooded park with playgrounds, and is located in Cassin sector. The municipality plans to build a new playground.
The wood of Planoise (located at the hill of Planoise) has a large diversity of animals and flora. Foxes, boars, squirrels, and birds are present. Vegetation includes beeches, firs, aesculus, oaks, ferns, and
Platanus
''Platanus'' is a genus consisting of a small number of tree species native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are the sole living members of the family Platanaceae.
All mature members of ''Platanus'' are tall, reaching in height. All except f ...
. A network of trails allows an easy access to the
Water tower
A water tower is an elevated structure supporting a water tank constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system, distribution system for potable water, and to provide emergency storage for fire protection. Water towe ...
of Planoise.
File:Colline de Planoise.JPG, The hill of Planoise
File:Sentier colline de Planoise.JPG, A trail in the woods
File:Sheep in Planoise.JPG, A sheep near Malcombe sector
File:Parc urbain de Planoise.JPG, The urban park
Sectors
Planoise is divided into seven sectors:
* ÃŽle-de-France sector: The name of this sector comes from a French region ( Ile-de-France), because the principal street of the sector is called Ile-de-France street. The area is the most populated in Planoise, with a third of the total population (7,000 residents). Ile-de-France is considered as the worse sector of
Malcombe
Malcombe is a recreational sports area located west of Besançon, in France. The sector is a part of the neighborhood of Planoise.
History
In August 1336, the duke of Burgundy wanted to lay siege to the city of Besançon after disagreeing wit ...
sector: The Malcombe is a recreational sector, built in 1976. The sector is home to the Besançon Bison (an
American football
American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team with ...
club).
* Micropolis sector: Micropolis is the name of the exposition park and of the concert hall. The sector was built in 1988.
Economy
Shops and services
Planoise has a lot of shops and services, and three malls: the mall of Epoisses (built in 1969), the mall of Île-de-France (build in 1975), and the mall of Cassin (called Park Mall, built in 1984). The shops are complemented by the commercial zone of Châteaufarine, which has a large mall and 80 other shops. All sectors of Planoiseare served by the essential shops such as hairdressers and bakeries, and Cassin sector has other shops like restaurants and dress shops. Planoise has six hotels, located in Cassin and Epoisses sectors. An itinerant kebab seller visits Epoisses and Île-de-France sectors daily, and two or three times a week a fair takes place in Île-de-France, Epoisses, and Cassin sectors.
The sector has two post offices, two medical centers, an
ANPE
The ''Agence nationale pour l'emploi'', or ANPE (English: "National Employment Agency" or "National Work Agency") was a French government agency which provided counseling and aid to those who are in search of a job or of training.
The ANPE was c ...
agency, a CAF agency (family allowance), one Treasury, and other services. The wood boiler is the only industrial infrastructure in the sector.
Employment
At the last census (1999), Planoise had 8,530 workers, 40% of the population of the area. Most of the workers are in the
Tertiary sector of the economy
The tertiary sector of the economy, generally known as the service sector, is the third of the three economic sectors in the three-sector model (also known as the economic cycle). The others are the primary sector (raw materials) and the second ...
(administration, education, health, shops, services, and transportation). The unemployment rate was 25% for the total population and 40% for those aged 18–24 years in 1999.
(26,535). The population peaked in 1989 at 21,300 inhabitants.
Planoise was a partially uninhabited rural zone for many years; the population boom of the 1960s changed the sector. Today, Planoise is the largest sector of Besançon, ahead of
Chaprais
The Chaprais or Chaprais is a district of Besançon, which was developed from the second half of the 19th century. Located in north-east of the historic center, it has 15,500 inhabitants which makes the second bigger area of the city
Etymology
Cha ...
(15,500) and the center of Besançon (10.000 inhabitants). The area continues its demographic expansion.
Transport
The area is 20 minutes from the center of Besançon, and served by the urban public transport of Besançon (Ginko company), with seven urban routes and two special routes (nights and Sundays). The Tramway of Besançon, planned for 2012, will go through the area (possible stops include Châteaufarine, the center of Planoise, and Jean Minjoz Hospital). The municipality of Besançon has raised the possibility of construction of a train station in the area, perhaps in 2020.
Architecture
Planoise has little architectural heritage compared to that of the center of Besançon. However, four notable statues decorate the area, two in the Cassin sector and two in the Ile-de-France sector. The "Statue of Diversity", located in a
roundabout
A roundabout is a type of circular intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island, and priority is typically given to traffic already in the junction.''The New Shorter Oxford En ...
of Ile-de-France sector, is a veritable symbol of this area. The others are the statue of
school, in stone, the "Statue of the World" (located in a roundabout in Cassin sector, near the Lafayette swimming pool) and the statue of
Tristan Bernard
Tristan Bernard (7 September 1866 – 7 December 1947) was a French playwright, novelist, journalist and lawyer.
Life
He studied law, and after his military service, he started his career as the manager of an aluminium smelter. In the 1890s, ...
school, also located in Cassin sector. Epoisses fountain dates to 1874, and has on its face the blazon of Besançon. An old laundry, located in the margins of the new area, was built in 1812 and renovated in 1996.
Places of worship
* The church of
Francis of Assisi
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi ( it, Francesco d'Assisi; – 3 October 1226), was a mystic Italian Catholic friar, founder of the Franciscans, and one of the most venerated figures in Christianit ...
Al-fath mosque
Al-Fath Mosque () is a mosque in the city of Cairo. Located in the Ramses Square, it is among the largest mosques and equips the tallest minaret in the city and the 3rd tallest in the world. During the post-coup unrest in Egypt, the took place ...
, inaugurated in 2008 by the mayor of Besançon
* Cepee
Evangelist
Evangelist may refer to:
Religion
* Four Evangelists, the authors of the canonical Christian Gospels
* Evangelism, publicly preaching the Gospel with the intention of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ
* Evangelist (Anglican Church), a c ...
church, located in Cassin sector
Sports and culture
*
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...
Lafayette
Lafayette or La Fayette may refer to:
People
* Lafayette (name), a list of people with the surname Lafayette or La Fayette or the given name Lafayette
* House of La Fayette, a French noble family
** Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757â ...
There are 12 kindergartens, five elementary schools, two colleges, and two high schools in Planoise.
Culture
Events
Festivals are popular; music parties have been organised by residents of the Epoisses sector. Many sporting events take place in Malcombe sector over the course of the year (
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep topographical object that can range from the world's tallest mountains (e.g. the eight thousanders), to small boulders. Climbing is done fo ...
, and roller hockey.
The exposition park of Micropolis hosts many concerts and other events. The "Foire comtoise" (Comtoise Fair) is the major amusement park of the region; the Micronora show is a microtechnology exposition. Other events such as fireworks, "fete des voisins" (neighborhood parties), and garage sales, take place year round.
Sports
* Planoise Karate Academy is a karate club located in Ile-de-France sector. Students include Ali Yugo (double champion of France), Luc Menyomo (double world champion, double European champion, and double champion of France), and Baba Sanogho (champion of France 1993 and vice champion of Africa 1997)
* A.S.C. Planoise, a football club
* Boxing club of Planoise, located in Cassin sector
* Profession sports 25 is an organisation offering athletic activities for teenagers
Radio and newspapers
* '' The Passerelle'' (The Gateway), a local newspaper
*
* Pari Association, an association created in 1981 to teach French to adults and childrenPari association Access date 7 October 2009.
* Des Racines et des Feuilles (Roots and Leaves) a genealogy association
* Julienne-Javel Association, a group that helps
2005 civil unrest in France
The 2005 French riots (french: Émeutes de 2005 dans les Banlieues Françaises), was a three-week period of riots in the suburbs of Paris and other French cities, in October and November 2005. These riots involved youth in violent attacks, and t ...
Barbara Romagnan
Barbara Romagnan is a teacher and a French politician who was a member of the Socialist Party since 1995. She later joined the 1 July Movement.
Biography
Barbara Romagnan was born 25 April 1974 in the city of Annecy. After studies in Lyon (R ...
handball
Handball (also known as team handball, European handball or Olympic handball) is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outcourt players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the g ...
champion and physical education teacher at Diderot School
Graffiti
Graffiti (plural; singular ''graffiti'' or ''graffito'', the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from s ...