Long constricted by a stultified vision of land use, spatial planning is now associated with a strategic vision of local and regional development. This new approach to local and regional public action is now reflected in planning and sustainable development projects (Projet d’aménagement et de développement durable, or PADD), which are the main texts related to territorial coherence schemes (SCoT) and local urban planning schemes (PLU).

Certu’s action in this area is mainly focused on developing an understanding of how the various planning levels interrelate and making tools and methods (websites, guides and brochures, etc.), together with information on the practices observed available to everyone involved.