Further, this strategy is consistent with present aims to increase density in central Clermont-Ferrand and to improve the efficiency of land use in the suburbs. Finally, the strategy could be used to enhance the relationship between Clermont and its hinterland and rebalance the perception that the hinterland is solely at the service of the city. In order to avoid the risk of an increased polarisation of the rural activities towards the Lyon metropole, it is important to build strong linkages with these territories to counteract such an effect. The volume of opposition between various land users remains quite high. Consequently, land based conflicts have arisen, resulting from both the lack of space and the intense competition between different development projects, supported by individuals or groups of people. This crucial requirement maybe fulfilled by an increased involvement of the local population at the earlier stages of the decision making process and by creating bilateral exchanges between the local planners and developers on the one hand, and the local population on the other.