International review of tactical urban planning by UNIGE students
In the spring semester of 2021, students from three Master's degrees at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) "Innovation, Human Development and Sustainability", "Territorial Development" and "African Studies", took part in the English-language workshop Urban Futures, dedicated to innovative urban planning.
During the workshop, students are invited to think critically about a number of challenges linked to the implementation of the SDGs while planning, managing and organising 'urban life', crossing experiences from the South and the North. This workshop is an "experimental laboratory" designed to generate innovative ideas and creative thinking.Part of this workshop was devoted to making a study (international review) that brings together:
- a critical analysis of the concept and practice of transitional urbanism
- an international benchmark of transitional/tactical urban planning initiatives.
Using a common methodology, the students explored the theoretical and semantic aspects and questioned the many terms, concepts and practices that exist around the notions of transitional/tactical urbanism. On the basis of their understanding of the subject, they explored concrete experiences of transitional and participatory urban planning projects and initiatives in cities, using geographical or thematic approaches.The aim of this work was to contribute to the dissemination and sharing of the Network of Urban Incubators, creating support for the appropriation of the concept and for the dissemination of key skills, knowledge and experience around the world.The results feed into and enrich the Urban Nurseries Network and in particular the Inspirations of the platform.This workshop was supervised by Professor Armelle Choplin, geographer and urban planner, associate professor in the Department of Geography and Environment (Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Geneva) and at the Global Studies Institute; Raphaël Languillon (PhD), geographer specialising in urban studies and planning, currently lecturer at the University of Geneva (Department of Geography and Environment) and Éloïse Pelaud, an international consultant in urban, sustainable and local development, working with the NGO urbaMonde, on the Urban Nurseries programme.