ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the use of land for the recreational purposes by the local/regional population in the evenings, at weekends, or on excursions. With the exception of the urban park in the new town of Villeneuve d'Ascq, only 275 hectares of green space were created in the 86 communes of the Communaute Urbaine de Lille from 1970 to 1982. The chapter illustrates how outdoor recreation fits into a space which is charged with multiple functions. A large number of decision-makers are involved in the planning process for outdoor leisure activities. The chapter looks at the tiers of government involved in recreation planning and at how they intervene. The communes are the most important agents for recreational development within their constituency. The chapter provides an overview of some important projects that will help to give a more complete view of the workings of the system.
