Alumni interview #22: Julien Meyrignac, Urban Planner

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Julien Meyrignac, I am 55 years old and I am an urban planner.
I obtained a master's degree in geography from Université Côte d'Azur in 1992, which I then supplemented with a postgraduate degree in urban planning from Paris-IV Sorbonne.

Why did you choose university? 

I was an extremely mediocre student in high school. I still managed to get a science baccalaureate with terrible grades in science subjects! I decided to enroll in the subject where I had gotten the best grades: geography.

What memories do you have of your time at university?

I have so many. First of all, emancipation: I had left the family structure, and for me it was a real liberation. I discovered independence and discipline, and strong friendships.

I came across geography somewhat by chance, but it was love at first sight, a great love story.

From my very first days at university, I found the subject extremely fertile and fulfilling. I really loved all the classes I took in Nice.

How did your studies help you in your current career?

At the time, when I arrived at Paris-IV for my DESS (postgraduate diploma) and explained that I was from Nice, I sometimes encountered a certain condescension. There were preconceived notions about people from the southeast of France.

Looking back, however, I realize how formative my years at university were. I acquired a solid knowledge of geography, an ability to analyze territories, and above all, an intellectual freedom that allowed me to think differently about urban issues.

University taught me to structure my thinking, to combine disciplines, and to develop a critical eye for the skills that have proved essential in my career as an urban planner, entrepreneur, and manager. I recently gave a course there to students in the Geoprade Master's program.

Although institutional recognition was not always forthcoming at the time, the quality of the teaching, the open-mindedness, and the autonomy I developed in Nice have clearly been decisive assets over the long term. 

What is your daily life like today?

My daily life is quite exciting.
For 23 years, I developed an urban planning consulting firm, a group I created calledCitadia. That was a very busy period, entirely dedicated to this activity. I then sold the group to SCET, a company owned by Banque des Territoires.

For the past four years, I have been editor-in-chief ofUrbanisme, the leading magazine in France. I stopped these activities at the beginning of 2025.

Since then, I have been dividing my time between teaching, notably at Université Côte d'Azur (Master's in Geoprade) and at the Ecole Camondo in Toulon, collaborating with numerous urban planning professionals, giving lectures and presentations, and conducting research and consulting on urban planning practices.

All these activities keep me very busy... and I enjoy them immensely. I also like to meet with people to understand their needs and work with them to build the territories of tomorrow.

Is there anything without which you would not have gotten to where you are today?

I wouldn't be where I am today if I slept a lot at night!

My days are very long, and at dawn, no one disturbs you: these are excellent times to think and be productive. This form of hyperactivity has been very beneficial to me.

Another factor has also been important: I played rugby for a long time, almost fifteen years. It shaped my character, my team spirit, and my competitive spirit. In my career as an entrepreneur and executive, I have often felt that it has brought me a lot.

What message would you like to convey to students or recent graduates?

Don't be afraid.

These are very anxiety-provoking times. It feels like society is falling apart.
 I don't necessarily share that view.

And I want to say to young people:don't be afraid.

What motivates you to get up in the morning?

The desire to be useful.
That's always been my driving force: asking myself what I'm good for, what I can do and how I can make a difference.

Do you have a motto?

Yes: "If you want to hijack the plane, you have to be on the plane."
Whenever someone tells me, "Don't do that, it's impossible," or "You won't succeed," I say to myself: I'm going to do it. At least I'll be on the plane. And if one day I can hijack the plane, I will.