Territorial development is a cross-cutting and interdisciplinary mission. It involves several disciplines such as urban planning, geography, territorial economics, environmental sciences, and social sciences. Territorial development analyzes the demands, imbalances, and development perspectives of a given territory. It develops development strategies and solution approaches proactively.

The person in charge of this mission is called a Territorial Development Agent or a Territorial Planner.

Territorial Planner / Territorial Development Agent, what is this profession?

The Territorial Development Agent (TDA) facilitates the emergence of local and social projects with the aim of revitalizing and developing a specific territory (city, inter-municipal community, employment basin, etc.). He/she has a mission of coordination and animation of local actors according to the areas of intervention: economic, social, rural, urban, etc. He promotes democratic expression around the project for which he is responsible.

He is employed by the project sponsor (territorial authority, NGO, development agency...), often as a mission manager, project manager, regional coordinator, or animator.

He can also be hired by a consulting firm, which is responsible for the development of strategic documents in favor of territorial authorities, and contribute to the development of Regional Development Program (RDP), Communal Action Plan (CAP), etc.

How is it practiced?

In the context of a development project, the TDA assists and advises elected officials and technical committees. He establishes territorial diagnostics. He develops, coordinates, and evaluates projects and writes summary reports and reports on his mission. Since his mission is to involve all the actors in the territory concerned by the project, he develops and animates partnerships with, for example, merchants, the associative world, companies, etc.

He plays a role in animation and communication with the population. He therefore knows interview techniques, has real writing skills, and knows how to organize events.

What tools and skills does this profession require?

The territorial development agent must demonstrate many qualities to carry out his missions; This profession requires real animation skills: relational sense, listening quality, etc. Curious and creative, he must also know how to organize and work independently. He is talented in negotiation, and his analytical and synthetic thinking allows him to integrate different logics.

Furthermore, he must master techniques such as:

• Territorial diagnosis;

• Survey and Interview;

• Territorial prospecting;

• Project development and management;

• Mapping of actors...

In short, a territorial development agent shines through his polyvalence.

If you are looking for one! Please contact me.