Contenu du sommaire : Evolution du tertiaire supérieur et structuration de l'espace

The dynamism of the tertiary sector and its relationship with urban development is seen in the first instance by the spatial extension of central area functions. The author observes that since 1976 a geographical diffusion of office activities to cover all the urban area has occured, reflecting a diffusion of service functions thoughout the whole of the local productive system. This tendency, however, appears to vary considerably between different branches of activity and therefore between different urban centres.

Independant business services firms specialised on administration consultancy (accounting, insurance, legal...) relied for years on a captive market made of medium and small enterprises. These service firms were constitued of small middle size offices and they still form the major part of the administration service supply in such a city as Lyon. These service firms have to face the combined effects of transformation of demand, technological evolution, and competitive environment. The challenge to face theses transformations seems to be high for the traditional local service firms.

The author describes the application of the theory of poles of growth which he links to the concept of leading trend setting firms. An analysis of a new geographical division of activities of different departments within the same firm and the analysis of a new study of the economic organisation of the regions where the firms decide to take up their activity.

Paris is the destination of one traveller in four leaving Lyon by train. If commuting on traditionnal trains is fairly easy for many (hence the « specials » at the end of the days), the new axis «Paris TGV » handles almost fifty percent of the business trips. On this axis, morning and evening departures are well balanced because of the near parity between Paris and Lyon business travellers. In that respect, TGV attracts visitors to Lyon, in particular the eastern-left banck sector of the city : two thirds of the business trips starts from station of la Part-Dieu which is fairly central.

The computerisation of service industries modifies the circuits of distribution of goods and information. It also modifies the organisation of work and the internal structure of the qualified staff in the firms.