Quand la forêt devient un équipement de la ville : un parc animalier à l’échelle de l’agglomération rouennaise

Abstract

Throughout the investigation of a conflict emerging from definitive closure of a wildlife park, the present study focus on local territorial mediations and their capacity to transform forest into city equipment. This study is based on fields and participant observations, territorial forest charters, quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews as well as local press articles. The wildlife park has been analysed in its spatial context, including one of the most human-made environment estuary in Europe as well as a metropolis suffering from its industrial past. The history of the wildlife park will then be traced to emphasise this conflicting situation. To solve this situation, a committee made up of regular park’s visitors has been created. The committee has succeeded in bringing people together, making this conflicting situation the focus of media attention and have finally helped the park to be considered as a political priority. The local elected officials have taken on this opportunity to lead a forest policy, now making the forest a metropolis’ equipment service.

Keywords

• nature
• territorial mediation
• territorial governance
• outdoor recreation
• metropolization
• Wildlife Park