In this new issue of Real Catch Up, the BNP Paribas Real Estate podcast that observes and analyses trends in the real estate sector and the city of the future, we will be discussing the extremely important topic of urban mobility. Whether it is to reduce their carbon footprint or to stand out from their competitors, a growing number of companies now offer a wide range of electric transport options. How is this implemented at BNP Paribas Real Estate, particularly at its METAL 57 know-how demonstrator, METAL 57, located in Boulogne-Billancourt? In this episode,, Karen Brunot, Marketing and Digital Director at Arval, and Sylvain Hasse, Head of Corporate Services at BNP Paribas Real Estate, discuss this extremely important issue.
Why are companies expanding their soft mobility offers?
BNP Paribas Real Estate has reviewed its urban mobility policy in recent years to better meet the requirements and ways of travelling of its employees and customers, while focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions. The company considers it vital to offer employees a healthy, flexible, innovative working environment, while reducing the environmental impacts related to mobility. BNP Paribas Real Estate has called on Arval, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas to come up with an appropriate action plan for a mobility hub that users can easily access via the Arval Mobility app.
"Companies have a number of reasons to want to increase the sustainability of their employees' mobility", says Karen Brunot. "For example, it might be to attract new talent or retain employees, or to reduce the company's carbon footprint. There are also financial angles centred around reducing travel, as well as regulatory issues linked to the development of low-emission zones."
What does the METAL 57 Mobility Hub look like?
Sylvain Hasse says that METAL 57's Mobility Hub includes "all soft mobility options for urban and peri-urban travel: 18 electric bikes, 8 electric scooters, and 4 electric cars that can be rented or reserved using the Arval app". This app also informs its users – employees and clients of BNP Paribas Real Estate – of the best mode of travel depending on their destination and the weather. It is part of BNP Paribas Real Estate's multi-service offer, similar to a concierge service or a sports hall.
“There’s much blurring of professional and personal lives, which is why there is a need to have such flexible urban mobility options. We’ve taken into account what happens between the home and the office, that is all part of the working day. So we have to account for the security, insurance, and the safety of collaborators during these moments”, says Sylvain Hasse.