Des réseaux aux écosystèmes : mutation contemporaine des infrastructures urbaines de l’eau en France

Abstract

This paper offers to reconsider the contemporary environmental shift observed in urban rainwater and river management in France. Based on the analysis of technical documents from the 19th century to nowadays, it aims at cast new light on this change, arguing it lies on a redefinition of the notion of “environment” and on the rise of ecology as a useful knowledge within city management, rather than of a shift in urban management or a redefinition of the city itself.

Keywords

• water environment
• urban rainwater ecological engineering
• urban infrastructure
• history of urban technology