International PhD Seminar

Post-extraction territories in transition: Designing the socio-ecological transition in post carbon marginal spaces.

The Seminar proposes a European and transatlantic dialogue around the questions of the social and ecological transition (post-carbon) of marginal spaces, and territories of exploitation as the ancient coal territories on the two sides of the Atlantic.

 

The post-extraction marginal spaces are characterized by a condition of permanent land exploitation due both to the past extractive phase and to present processes of strong ecological impact, shortage of resources, and negligible investments. As a result, these areas experience stagnation and lower pressure from an economic growth standpoint. Yet, these territories inherit a high environmental and cultural quality - also given by technical and industrial processes that have marked their development - and a rooted identity that underlies a dormant social and human capital.

 

Given these premises, these territories could be seen as a laboratory in which to investigate a socio-ecological transition. In a panorama of energy precarity, resource contraction, landscape eroasion and climate urgency, we advocate for new proposals of socio-environmental reconciliation of these marginal spaces and a new gaze that considers these territories as subjects of their transformation.

 

From a thematic point of view, the PhD students are encouraged to position their contribution in the above mentioned contexts.

Organization

 

The Seminar is an initiative of the HABITAT Research Center, ENAC EPFL, and is part of the doctoral study plan of the EDAR program of the EPFL Doctoral School (EDOC). It is organized by the Laboratory of Urbanism (Lab-U) – EPFL.

 

It will take place in Lausanne between December 16 and 17. It will be partly public. It will include Keynote lectures, sessions of debates, and doctoral students' presentations.

 

15 Doctoral students will be admitted to the Seminar on the basis of a letter of motivation.

 

The Seminar's official languages are English and French.

 

For further practical information, contact: valerie.pahud@epfl.ch.