Les milieux fluviaux et humides en ville, du déni à la reconnaissance de paysages urbains historiques

Urban water landscapes, once marginalized, now hold significant cultural and ecological value, reflecting a shift from historical neglect to modern patrimonialization. This study identifies the evolving societal relationships with fluvial and wetland environments in Western cities over the past four decades, highlighting their transition into coveted heritage assets. Using a geohistorical, diachronic approach, researchers analyzed multiple cities in the Paris Basin (Amiens, Bourges, Châlons-en-Champagne, Évreux, Orléans, Tours, Troyes) to theorize temporal and spatial dynamics of water-related urban landscapes. Findings reveal that these environments are intrinsically linked to urban heritage, shaped by historical processes and sociocultural conditions. The study underscores the growing civic appreciation for water landscapes, paralleled by urban development projects aimed at aesthetic and functional requalification.

Dournel, S., & Sajaloli, B. (2013). Les milieux fluviaux et humides en ville, du déni à la reconnaissance de paysages urbains historiques. Urban History Review, 41(1), 5–21. https://doi.org/10.7202/1013761ar