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Project
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The objects of sustainability - how to improve sustainability with relevant and negotiated geographical objects?
Applicant
Debarbieux Bernard
Number
115133
Funding scheme
NRP 54 Sustainable Development of the Built Environment
Research institution
Département de géographie et environnement Université de Genève
Institution of higher education
University of Geneva - GE
Main discipline
Architecture and Social urban science
Start/End
01.01.2007 - 30.09.2009
Approved amount
227'092.00
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Keywords (5)
urban and regional planning; ontologies; categories; participation ; performativity
Lay Summary (English)
Lead
Lay summary
Sustainable vocabulary
Background
In everyday actions and linguistic usage,geographical space manifests itself as a natural system ofobjects such as “city”, “landscape” or “nature”. Someresearchers, however, dispute the applicability of such spatialcategories - in particular, the juxtaposition of “urban” and“rural” - to an interpretation of present-day urbanizationprocesses and phenomena. It thus appears that the geographicalcategories adopted by different groups within asociety are not always identical. The implications of this aretwofold: First, it complicates the exchange of knowledgebetween citizens and experts; second, differences in categorizationencourage unsystematic action that is inconsistentwith sustainability criteria.
Objectives
The project will endeavour to analyse andunderstand the mechanisms behind the categorization ofgeographical objects and to relate these to the way in whichthe various players affected by spatial planning schemesactually act. The findings will prepare the ground for thedevelopment and trial of alternative methods of negotiatedand co-operative categorization as part of the politicaleffort to promote sustainability.
Methods
The research project comprises three parts:- Analysis of the categories and geographical objects thatfeature in spatial planning discourse and instruments- Analysis of the practical implications of objects and categories,focusing on the ways in which resulting actionsmay trigger non-sustainable spatial demands- Development of alternative methods for the collaborativecategorization of objects in a participatory process thatendeavours to define and elicit consensus on a set offormal, GIS- and IT-compatible objects
Significance
The results of the research project are intendedto support those processes underpinning sustainable spatialdevelopment. By furthering the convergence of scientific andeveryday knowledge and clarifying the processes by whichsuch knowledge is attained, the project will pave the way forconceptual and technical (IT-based) tools to promote alternativeforms of participation in spatial planning.
Direct link to Lay Summary
Last update: 21.02.2013
Responsible applicant and co-applicants
Name
Institute
Debarbieux Bernard
Département de Géographie et Environnement Faculté des Sciences de la Société Université de Genève
Dao Hy
Département de géographie et environnement Université de Genève
Employees
Name
Institute
Schaffter Marius
Département de géographie et environnement Université de Genève
Schubarth Christian
IC Infraconsult AG
Giacomel Gianluigi
Institut de géographie et durabilité (IGD) Université de Lausanne
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