Description of the thesis topic

Context: Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) are still rarely considered in planning , even though they play a crucial role in cultural cohesion and collective well-being. The TRESOR project (Transformation and Ecological and Societal Resilience of Rivers Sensitive to Drought Episodes) focuses on CES in the specific context of urban rivers in the Grand Est region, amid increasing hydrological extremes (floods, low flows, and droughts). The objective is to understand how changes in hydrological regimes modify the relationships between people and rivers, and how this knowledge can guide adaptive river planning.

Objectives:
i) Develop an analytical method for assessing CES associated with rivers, based on the concept of Sense of Place.
ii) Measure and map river-related CES along a gradient of hydrological transformation.
iii) Create a conceptual and operational framework for adaptive planning of rivers sensitive to droughts, applicable to the Grand Est region.
Methodology:
a) Inventory and mapping of CES through geographic analysis.
b) Participatory mapping and surveys.
c) Temporal modeling to anticipate future developments.
d) Development of an evaluation matrix to assess hydrological impacts on CES.
e) Co-design workshop with local managers to build adaptive river planning tools.

Originality and relevance:
The thesis bridges urban planning, hydrology, and land management, addressing a still underexplored issue—the social and cultural consequences of rivers sensitive to drying events. It proposes an integrated, participatory, and forward-looking approach, aiming to provide territories with practical tools to reconcile ecological resilience, human well-being, and cultural identity in the context of climate change.

Work Context

The Grand Est region is funding the thesis.

The candidate will be enrolled at the Doctorale School 413 and be based at the Laboratoire Image Ville Environnement (LIVE UMR-7362 UNISTRA-CNRS-ENGEES) located at the Faculty of Geography and Planning at 3, rue de l'Argonne in Strasbourg. LIVE conducts multidisciplinary research on urban, anthropogenic, and hydrosystems environments, with a view to understanding the impact of human activities on socio-ecosystems (geographers, geomorphologists, hydrologists, climatologists, botanists). The site is ideally located in the heart of the Strasbourg metropolitan area in a pleasant student neighborhood, close to many small restaurants (including subsidized dining) and urban parks (Orangerie, botanical garden, Vauban park).
- restaurant nearby.
- Employee benefits.
- Possibility of teleworking in accordance with established protocols.
- Vacation + RTT: maximum of 46 days per year to be taken during the contract period.

The direct partners in the thesis project are those involved in the PlaCES project. The Technical University of Dortmund (Germany), the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Tre University in Rome (Italy), the University of Geisenheim (Germany) namely the Competence Center for Cultural Landscape (KULT). Partners at the Strasbourg site providing a favorable framework for the thesis: The EUCOR Water and Sustainability Chair with Prof. Karl Matthias WANTZEN The ITI SWITCH focusing on sustainability in the field of Water and the City.

Constraints and risks

Mobility to be arranged with partner universities. Thesis work in English - B2 level mandatory