RESSLA – Loire and its Tributaries Social Systems Research Network

Loire and its tributaries Social Systems Study Network (RESSLA)

The project involves researchers from eight teams within the Loire research observatory, spanning various disciplines (archaeology, history, geography, urban planning, etc.). It draws upon funded projects (research programmes, PhDs, post-docs) focused on the themes of landscape, heritage, and risks. The project's aim is to consolidate research within the Loire research observatory, primarily from the perspective of societies, and to examine the construction of territories. This is approached through an analysis of forces (anthropogenic), opportunities (resources, etc.), and constraints (planning, cost-benefit analysis, etc.). Dynamics are observed both upstream and downstream in different parts of the river basin, at various spatial scales, over short and long timescales, which are essential for deciphering the effects of changes in practices, land use, and planning (disruption and threshold effects).
To this end, a directory of actions already undertaken by the ZAL members will be created. This will serve as a foundation for the development of collective research actions, as well as for their dissemination (for example, presenting results at the IS River conference in Lyon, June 2015). Scientific meetings inviting researchers from other research observatories will also be organised to exchange ideas, explore new avenues, and submit funding applications on unifying themes. A "young researchers" seminar series is also planned.
The project must allow for a better understanding of the Loire system, but also bring knowledge to companies and resources for local stakeholders and public policy makers (farmers, local authorities, etc.).

Coordination: Sylvie Servain