News

The University selected to imagine Luxembourg in 2050

  • Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE)
    University / Central Administration and Rectorate
    26 October 2020
  • Category
    Research, University
  • Topic
    Geography & Spatial Planning

A consortium of researchers and designers led by the “Geography & Spatial Planning” department at the University of Luxembourg is one of the 10 teams selected by the Ministry of Energy and Regional Planning to imagine the future of the country. The objective of the mission is clear: bring innovative ideas for a sustainable and resilient Grand Duchy.

The environmental emergency is global. Governments around the world are looking for ways to tackle global warming. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg wishes to be one of the pioneers by adopting a territorial strategy based on citizen consensus. But where should it start to find the key to reversing the activities that contribute to climate change while limiting the impact on the quality of life of citizens and on biodiversity? Such a change requires bold ideas. This is the reason why the Ministry of Energy and Regional Planning launches an urban-architectural and landscape consultation: “Luxembourg in Transition – Territorial visions for the carbon-free and resilient future of the Luxembourg functional region”.

A team led by the “Geography and Spatial Planning” department of the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) is one of the 10 teams selected by the ministry. Florian Hertweck, Professor of Architecture and project investigator at the University of Luxembourg is delighted to take part in the first phase: “We are very happy to be able to participate to this national project which corresponds to one of the three pillars of the University: sustainable development”, he explains. “We have succeeded to create a multidisciplinary team that brings together researchers and designers who will provide prospects for a socio-ecological transition in Luxembourg”, he adds.

The consortium presented by the FHSE is made up of researchers in human and social sciences, but also of engineers from the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM). Many external partners also joined the initiative. “We work closely with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), the Centre for Ecological Learning (CELL), the Institute for Organic Agriculture and Agrarian Culture (IBLA) and finally the Office for Landscape Morphology (OLM)”, says Hertweck.

Post-growth society

Facing other international candidates, the main advantage of the team lies in its knowledge of the field. “We have gained experience in developing such project abroad. Some of us participated in a similar mission in Geneva. Moreover, we know Luxembourg and the Greater Region very well. This is a significant advantage”, underlines the professor. He continues: “The vision of architecture that we defend within the Faculty is exactly the one described in the invitation to tender. An interdisciplinary field which involves humanities and environmental sciences”.

To develop its project, the team led by the University relies on the idea of a post-growth society. “This is a notion that is often wrongly frightening. It simply argues that technological progress is not the only solution towards a sustainable world. We believe that the changes must be deeper and structural”.

Around this central idea, the group suggests to develop four themes: agro-ecological transition, energy sufficiency, alternative economies and finally governance by co-management. “Such a transition must be made with the citizens. It is essential that they take part in the decisions and in the change to make it successful”, insists Hertweck.

Involving students

At the beginning of 2021, seven of the ten teams will be selected to continue their work around “Luxembourg in Transition”. To be selected, they will have to present their working methods and evaluations. “We need to come up with indicators that measure the impacts of our visions. For example, how do we assess the savings in CO₂ emissions if we implement teleworking”, says Hertweck.

The researchers hope to contribute to the consultation for as long as possible, and fully intend to involve the students. “Students from the Master in Architecture will be able to develop ideas within a project studio as contributions to this mission. It’s a great opportunity for them to work on prospects in a real context”, explains their Hertweck. He concludes: “Whatever happens, Luxembourg in Transition will launch a real debate on growth in Luxembourg, and we are happy to be part of it”.

© M3E / MNHA