“Douaisis Agglo” what does that even mean. Well let’s find out. Douaisis Agglo is more than just a name. It is a story of regional cooperation in northern France. It represents a community of 35 communes working together.
Douaisis Agglo is centered around the city of Douai. This intercommunal structure is located in the Nord department. It is part of the Hauts-de-France region. The community officially formed in January 2014. Douaisis Agglo has its seat in Douai.
Spanning 235.7 square kilometers Douaisis Agglo is home to almost 150000 people. In 2019 the population was 148784. Douai itself had 39613 residents. The name Douaisis Agglo was adopted in 2019. Before that it was known as Communauté d’agglomération du Douaisis.
The 35 communes that make up Douaisis Agglo are diverse. They include Anhiers Arleux and Aubigny-au-Bac. Auby and Brunémont are also part of it. The list goes on with Bugnicourt and Cantin. Courchelettes and Cuincy are included. Then there are Dechy and Douai itself. Erchin and Esquerchin add to the mix. Estrées and Faumont are also members. Féchinand and Férin complete the picture. Flers-en-Escrebieux and Flines-lez-Raches are on the list. Fressain and Gœulzin are as well. Guesnain and Hamel contribute to the whole. Lallaing and Lambres-lez-Douai are among them. Lauwin-Planque and Lécluse are part of it. Marcq-en-Ostrevent and Râches add to the community. Raimbeaucourt and Roost-Warendin also belong. Roucourt and Sin-le-Noble are included. Finally Villers-au-Tertre and Waziers are members.
Douaisis Agglo evolved from earlier forms of cooperation. In 2002 it succeeded the SMAEZI. This was a mixed syndicate for industrial zones. The current legal structure was created then. The area covered has not changed since.
The president of Douaisis Agglo announced the name change in 2019. It was part of an effort to revitalize the area. The new name came with a new logo. The goal was to create a more dynamic image.
Douaisis Agglo manages part of the former Nord-Pas-de-Calais mining basin. Some of this area is prone to mining subsidence. The territory has an urban center around Douai. This area includes eight communes. These contain 58% of the population. A surrounding urban belt includes 13 communes. They represent 31% of the population. The remaining population lives in 14 rural communes. These are located to the south and north.
Douaisis Agglo faces some economic challenges. The unemployment rate is 10.8%. The poverty rate is 19.5%. Both are higher than regional averages. Only 40.7% of tax households are taxed. The regional average is 45%. The median income per adult is 19730 euros. This is less than the regional average of 20820 euros.
Douaisis Agglo benefits from a dense transport network. It has immediate access to European highways. These include the A21 and A23 autoroutes. There are also many waterways. These include the Sensée Canal and Scarpe Canal. The area has good rail connections too. There is passenger service at the Douai TGV station. There is also freight service at the Somain station. Douaisis Agglo is working to improve the lives of its residents. It addresses issues from transport to environment. It strives to create a better future for all.