PUBLIC DEFENCE – Sophie Leemans

“Rewiring the lifelines. Investigating the role of infrastructures to address collective challenges in the dispersed territory. The case of the Eurometropolis Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai”.

Meet the Jury seminar

The defence is preceded by a Meet the Jury seminar titled “Pedagogical Urbanism and the art of augmented storytelling: how civil society organisations use hybrid technologies to shape spaces” by prof. dr. Nancy Odendaal (African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town – University of Basel). The seminar takes place at 14h in the same location as the defence (KAST 01.07 – Aula Arenbergkasteel).

Abstract

Dispersed territories, characterised by fragmented urban development, are increasingly confronted with complex collective challenges such as flooding, drought, pollution, biodiversity loss and growing social inequalities. While considerable attention has been given to these challenges, it remains unclear how to effectively tackle these without dismantling the existing built environment to implement a compact city model.

This dissertation proposes an alternative approach by exploring the concept of “lifelines”—understood as multilayered infrastructures that are crucial in shaping urban development. Lifelines are defined by two main functions: they catalyse spatial transformations and they generate an urban condition by providing access to resources, services, or destinations. By examining dispersed territories through the lens of lifelines as underlying systems, this research suggests a new way to approach their future.

Using the Eurometropolis Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai as a case study, this research-by-design investigates the role of infrastructures in its spatial development for the past, present, and future through mappings. The study uncovers how infrastructures historically influenced the region’s development, assesses the current state of its lifelines, and explores their design potential to shape the future of this territory.

This study positions the critical challenge of ageing infrastructure as an opportunity to rethink this territory though its lifelines. It argues that infrastructure interventions should be approached as urban design projects to generate socio-economic and environmental benefits beyond their technical purpose. Additionally, it proposes a design strategy of small-scale networked interventions that respond to local needs rather than rigid, standardised infrastructure designs.

The insights from this research are particularly useful for policymakers and (urban) designers, raising awareness on the potential strategic socio-spatial impact of infrastructure interventions. Ultimately, this research highlights the need to rethink infrastructure in an explorative way, adapted to the changing needs of our urban environments.

Jury

Supervisors

Prof. dr. Maarten Gheysen (KU Leuven, Belgium, supervisor)
Prof. dr. Erik Van Daele (KU Leuven, Belgium, co-supervisor)

Assessors

Prof. dr. Yves Schoonjans (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Dr. Julie Marin (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Prof. dr. Chiara Cavalieri (UC Louvain (UCL), Belgium)

External members

Prof. dr. Maarten Van Acker (University of Antwerp (UA), Belgium)
Prof. dr. Nancy Odendaal (University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa – University of Basel, Switzerland)

Chair

Prof. dr. Arnaud Hendrickx (KU Leuven, Belgium)

The dispersed territory can be read through its historical layers of interrelated architectural, infrastructural and landscape elements. Source: Sophie Leemans