Cap 3000 and Nice Airport at Risk? Report Warns of Major Flood Threat - A recent report published by the Court of Auditors has highlighted the underestimated risk of flooding on the Cote d’Azur, particularly criticizing the expansion of the Cap 3000 shopping center near Nice. The report warns that urbanization along the Mediterranean coast increases vulnerability to rising sea levels and severe weather. It specifically points to Cap 3000’s 26,000 m2 expansion in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, an area exposed to both torrential river flooding and storm surges.
During Storm Alex in 2020, which caused ten deaths, the dike protecting the shopping center failed, necessitating emergency repairs. The report criticizes local planning policies for allowing such expansions despite evident risks. The Court of Auditors also flags Nice Airport as a flood-prone area, warning that its runways could be submerged if sea levels rise by just one meter. Despite this, an ongoing expansion project remains approved, with a legal challenge from environmental groups recently dismissed.
Environmentalists have welcomed the report, calling it validation of their concerns. They denounce « concrete heavy » policies and demand a halt to airport expansion, better flooding protection, and restrictions on construction on major riverbeds. Some preventative measures, such as non-renewal of certain beach concessions, are being taken, as seen in Villeneuve-Loubet. The report also warns that local officials may be underestimating their civil and criminal liability in the face of these growing risks.
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