Reconciling Metropolises and Countryside: The Impact of Public Policies on Geography and Urban Planning

Reconciling metropolises and countryside, outskirts and city centers, and ecology and housing is a pressing issue in today’s world. As we navigate through an ecological transition, it is crucial to find ways to integrate these seemingly disparate elements. In partnership with the Urban Projects and Strategies Observation Platform (Popsu), we are immersed in projects and initiatives that aim to move urban policies forward.

One of the key figures leading the charge in this movement is Charles Ambrosino, a historian and town planner who is also a professor at the Institute of Town Planning and Alpine Geography. Ambrosino recently coordinated the work titled “The Geographical Metropolis and its Town Planning: Grenoble or the (Forgotten) Art of Living in the Plain,” which was published in the collection of Popsu notebooks. This work analyzes the impact of public policies on geography and calls for a radical shift in the way we approach urban planning.

Ambrosino’s diagnosis of the current state of urban space in Grenoble is that it is fractured and has turned its back on its geography. The history of Grenoble is deeply intertwined with water, as this plain territory, located at the crossroads of Alpine valleys, has been plagued by regular flooding from the Isère and Drac rivers for centuries. These floods have shaped a complex relationship with water, where it is seen both as a risk to be guarded against and as a source of energy through hydroelectric power.

As Grenoble has become urbanized, its landscape characteristics, which are closely tied to water, have become invisible. The city has been built despite its geography, with multiple infrastructures fragmenting the waterways between the foothills of Vercors and Chartreuse. Roads, motorways, railways, and gas pipelines have lacerated these natural water routes.

The need to reconnect Grenoble to its geography is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it would allow for the enhancement of the plain, which may not have the grandeur of the surrounding slopes and summits but is the daily landscape for the majority of the city’s inhabitants. In a world experiencing rapid climate change, with the Alps particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures, access to water, freshness, and green spaces through sustainable modes of travel is crucial. This proximity to nature is especially important for the southern territories of Grenoble, which have a high concentration of social housing and whose residents often have a distant relationship with the mountains.

To reintegrate the question of water into the urban fabric, Ambrosino suggests finding the routes of rivers and torrents, the blue and green threads that make up the territory. This would allow for the connection of outlying and disadvantaged neighborhoods with new centralities. The outskirts of the city offer the most potential for transformation, as they have more malleable dykes and large natural spaces that can be developed. La Poya Park in Fontaine serves as an emblematic example of this potential. It faces the Géant Casino, the starting point of the ZAC des Portes du Vercors, an asphalted area that has been abandoned to mass consumption. This area represents the relegation of essential activities to the edge of the metropolis, just before ascending the slope.

The idea is to overthrow the metropolis on its fringes by transforming the Isère and Drac rivers into real public and landscaped spaces, akin to metropolitan rivers. However, this is not a simple task, as water does not adhere to municipal borders. Nevertheless, part of Grenoble’s future lies in this endeavor.

As we navigate the challenges of reconciling metropolises and countryside, outskirts and city centers, and ecology and housing, the work of individuals like Charles Ambrosino provides valuable insights and calls for a radical reimagining of urban planning. By reconnecting cities to their geography and integrating water into the urban fabric, we can create more sustainable and livable spaces for all.

How can urban planning strategies in Grenoble be adapted to better manage the potential impact of flooding events?

Mate change and urbanization, preserving and conserving these landscapes becomes crucial.

Secondly, reconnecting Grenoble to its geography would help mitigate the risks posed by flooding. By understanding and respecting the natural waterways, urban planners can develop strategies to better manage the potential impact of flooding events. This could involve creating green spaces, promoting natural water retention areas, and adapting buildings and infrastructures to be more resilient to floods.

Thirdly, embracing the geography of Grenoble would foster a stronger sense of identity and place for its residents. By valuing and celebrating the unique landscape features, residents can develop a deeper connection to their surroundings, which in turn can contribute to a stronger sense of community and well-being.

Ambrosino’s work calls for a shift in urban planning towards a more integrated and sustainable approach. He argues that urbanization should not be seen as something that erases or ignores the natural environment, but rather as an opportunity to create harmonious and resilient cities that coexist with their geographical context.

The work done by Ambrosino, along with Popsu, provides valuable insights and guidance for urban policymakers and planners. By studying the relationship between urbanization and geography in Grenoble, they offer a case study that can be applied to other cities grappling with similar challenges.

Ultimately, reconciling metropolises and countryside, outskirts and city centers, and ecology and housing requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach. It involves understanding the history, geography, and social dynamics of a place, and using that knowledge to inform urban planning decisions.

As we continue to navigate through an ecological transition, it is imperative that we find ways to integrate these seemingly disparate elements in order to create sustainable and livable cities. The work being done by Ambrosino and Popsu is a step in the right direction, shedding light on the importance of reconnecting with geography and reimagining urban spaces. Only through this approach can we create cities that are in harmony with their surroundings and able to withstand the challenges of the future.