Plateau Urbain is a French cooperative focused on social real estate, transitional urban planning and temporary use of vacant buildings.21 Founded as an association in 2013, it later adopted the legal form of a Société Coopérative d’Intérêt Collectif (SCIC) in 2017.29 The organisation’s registered office is at 16 boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris.12
Its main activity is to make vacant premises available at controlled or affordable prices to cultural, social and solidarity-economy organisations, as well as other groups that cannot easily access conventional commercial property.1012 Depending on the project, Plateau Urbain also develops emergency accommodation solutions and helps create socially oriented third places combining work, cultural activity, community use and local services.112
The cooperative works primarily in the Île-de-France region and in the metropolitan areas of Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille.21 It also provides consulting, research and support services throughout France for local authorities, property owners and project developers working on temporary occupation, transitional urban planning and third places.111 Its consulting and studies activity has been structured since 2016.11
Simon Laisney is identified as the organisation’s founder and President of the Executive Board.3 The management team also includes development director Angèle de Lamberterie, communications director Anne Leroy and technical director Gautier Le Bail.6 Plateau Urbain reports having nearly 100 employees working across six divisions covering research, development, technical operations, communications and support functions.23
The organisation’s activities therefore combine the management of temporary workspaces, the development of socially oriented urban projects and advisory services for territories and property stakeholders.