Uncovering the Forces of the Transition, Elena Calafati

Abstract: The presentation aims at assessing the typo-morphological reading as an approach to critically observe the contemporary transformation in European cities. The object of observation, being territories where the spaces of production have strongly marked their history, have shaped the construction of the city and still represent today a present feature of the territory. This presentation focuses on the case-study of the Est Ensemble, a policy unit formed in 2010 through the annex of nine municipalities of the Grand Paris. Known as the “Fabrique du Grand Paris” this territory is currently undergoing deep spatial transformations guided by the principles of the ecological and socio-economic Transition.
As a matter of fact, the forces which are shaping the contemporary European city are today progressively linked to the Transition. Principles of ecology and social inclusion among others are contributing to define the outline of official policy directives, such as the European Green Deal. Nevertheless, within the wide and still partially undefined Transition many and contrasting political directions, policies and spatial outcomes take place. In this context, a critical observation of current transformations becomes crucial as there are different paradigms through which the Transition can be addressed, ranging from the so-called technical fix to the principles of political ecology.
The proposed methodology conceives the type as a portion of the urban fabric, an aggregation. A series of samples will be analyzed according to their morphology and patterns of spaces of production within the Est Ensemble. Synthesising the process of construction of the aggregation, signs of permanence and persistence will be conceived as a tool to read the values of a culture of living - or in this case, a culture of producing. Building on this analysis, how could the typo-morphological reading be a tool to shed light on the less evident forces which are guiding spatial transformation? To uncover the link between policymaking and its spatial intention? And finally, to unravel the spatial dimension of the predominant Transition paradigm?