9

This paper provides a survey of the empirical literature on enterprise zones evaluation, in the US and in France.It focuses on the impact of such programs on zone residents.Results of studies differ regarding the ability of enterprise zones programs to promote the development of economic activity and to improve the welfare of zone residents.In the US, the effects vary considerably depending on the program assessed : the incapacity of State Enterprise Zones to stimulate local activity and employment of zone residents contrasts with the efficiency of Federal Empowerment Zones, which have had a positive impact on zones residents in terms of employment, wage and quality of life.The conclusions regarding the effect of the French program are more homogeneous : they suggest a positive impact on business location and employment in targeted zones which occurs however at the expense of neighboring areas.Moreover, the effect of the French program for zones residents is limited.Better understanding the role of the design of these policies in terms of financial amount, eligibility criteria or types of incentives could be an important area of improvement in the implementation of urban enterprise zones programs.Classification JEL : R12, R38, H25.