A water atlas for thinking about transition

For the Grenoble urban area, mountains represent an intangible geomorphological condition, a resource and a structuring marker of identity for many activities. However, public action is still largely sectorized and limited to certain issues (food, tourism, energy, etc.).

In this context, the concept of the “bioregion” – a territory defined not by political boundaries but by ecological characteristics consistent with human communities – finds a particular echo within the Dauphiné “mountain metropolis”.

By placing the geographical figure of the watershed and hydrographic systems at the heart of regional planning considerations, this perspective encourages us to explore new ways of thinking about solidarity and complementarity between metropolitan areas and neighboring territories, between plains and slopes.

By examining changes in Alpine societies’ relationship with water, and by taking stock of existing players, infrastructures and networks, this research project lays the foundations for the creation of a water atlas for the Grenoble area.

This water atlas is part of the wider Popsu Transitions: Retrouver les voi(es)x de l’eau research project, coordinated by Charles Ambrosino (Professor of Urban Planning, Pacte/UGA) and Hélène Clot (Director of Strategy, Innovation and Citizen Relations, Grenoble-Alpes Métropole).