Jean-Christophe Coulom, Head of Urban Planning, Val'Aïgo Community of Towns (31)

After a Technical Baccalaureate at the agricultural high school in Ondes in Haute-Garonne and a BTS (Advanced Technician’s Certificate) in Masseube in Gers, Jean-Christophe Coulom enrolled in the Human Sciences DEUG (General University Diploma) in Geography at UPPA. He completed several years of further studies, culminating in a PhD in Geography in 2014. 

What made you want to study geography at UPPA? 

After my Baccalaureate, like a lot of young people, I didn't really know what to do. I liked big open spaces, life outdoors, the rural world, regional planning… So I opted for a BTSA (Advanced Technician’s Certificate in Agriculture) in Management and Protection of Nature at Saint-Christophe Technical Institute in Masseube in Gers. I left at 19 with basic training in rural and countryside planning and, above all, the desire to learn more! I had two options: Life Sciences at the University of Toulouse, or Geography at UPPA. I chose the second option because I was really interested in the subject and the small, friendly feel of UPPA really appealed to me. It was a bit like a “town in the countryside”. Pau is bigger than Montauban, where I grew up, but smaller than Toulouse.   

You joined UPPA to study for a DEUG and you left with a PhD in Geography! Did you plan that from the start? 

Not at all! I enjoyed studying and I found at the University what I’d been missing until then: constant questioning, reflection on topics of general interest, an approach that allowed you to gradually refine your interests, lecturers who encouraged students to be analytical and gave them the keys to understanding the world around them… I soon developed an interest in the regional model and how to build spaces through policy. I had no particular career path in mind, I just wanted to explore the relationship between people and the local area. By the time I reached Master’s level, I had already thought of a research topic. For two years I studied “the intermunicipal dynamics of Sud Tarn-Garonne”, which led me to consider a PhD, spurred on by faculty such as Frédéric Tesson and Olivier Bessy, who was my supervisor. I was hosted by the Pau-Pyrénées community of agglomerations as part of a four-year CIFRE (Industrial Contract for Training by Research) PhD on “The structuring dynamics of nature-based sports: the case of Pau". 

After your PhD, what made you enter the professional world? 

Research offers a safe environment, but places are hard to come by, so I chose not to pursue that path and instead join the job market. Waking up in the morning and wondering what you can sell is never easy. I started by teaching in a secondary school, then I looked at jobs in local government, a world that suited me better. I wanted to highlight the value of an applied PhD, my ability to manage projects from A to Z, technical skills, etc. I noticed that the title of “Doctor” often frightened potential employers, so I needed to reassure them. While looking at the job offers, I noticed that there was a micro-niche in the field of town planning that appeared promising. At the time, the government was handing over the task of assessing planning applications (prior declarations, building permits, etc.) to local authorities. I found out more and started applying. From then on, everything got easier. I was hired as an Urban Planner by the Grisolles-Villebrumier community of towns in 2015, then I joined the municipality of Saint-Sulpice-La-Pointe as Head of Urban Planning and Land two years later. Since 2021, I've been in charge of town planning for the Val'Aïgo Community of Towns. In turn, I’ve also trained others and have even served as a figure of authority in the field within my network.

What words do you spontaneously associate with UPPA? 

Pleasant - People-focused - Professional 

What advice would you give to a young person starting a course at UPPA?

I’d say “don’t hesitate”! UPPA is a very down-to-earth university. The standard is high and the teaching staff are approachable and genuinely interested in students’ futures. I can honestly say that UPPA made me the man I am today. The Pau campus has all the right conditions for reflection, personal development and finding the right path for you. 

 Propos recueillis par Florence Elman. 

Want to find out more? 

Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Planning 

Master’s in Geography, Planning, the Environment and Development