Vulnerability of communities in a context of climate change in light of social inequalities and local constructive cultures
Combining architecture and geography to better highlight the vulnerability of populations to climate change.
Reunion Island is located in the Indian Ocean and is subject to the issues of climate change, particularly in terms of the intensity of cyclonic events and precipitation as well as with the rise in sea level. Social inequalities are strong within the same territory, they also concern the isolation of certain islets within the same municipality. In addition, construction is marked by a strong mix of practices and adapts to the micro-climates of the island. Since Reunion was uninhabited before the arrival of settlers, there is no local construction culture prior to that forged over the course of migrations. Finally, Reunion Island is a territory heavily involved in risk management and prevention. Many actors are present there, however few studies cross risks, inequalities and adaptation to climate change.
It is in this context that this research is taking root, through the study of sites in particular on the East side with the commune of Saint Benoit and on the West side, with the commune of Saint-Louis. This study will explore in more depth the question of the evolution of the coastline with the rise in the ocean level and the adaptation of coastal communities to the risk of marine submersion. Reunion is in fact the subject of a Coastal Risk Prevention Plan (PPRL) and many stakeholders such as DEAL and the Coastal Observatory are already heavily mobilized around the impact of rising water levels. The commune of Saint-Louis has already suffered recurring marine submersions in recent years and is the subject of an expropriation and rehousing plan for certain inhabitants of the seafront.
This research is multidisciplinary, at the crossroads of my experience, mixing architecture and geography with regard to major risks. It is part of the continuity of the actions already present on the Reunion territory. These latter often overlap too little with socio-economic data, exposure to hazards and knowledge of construction.
The objective of this research is to be able to cross architecture and geography in order to highlight a vulnerability on the territory of La Réunion. The crossing of disciplines is still too little present on these questions related to the vulnerability of populations and climate change. However, these are concrete questions for many island territories.
Biography
Odile Plattard worked as an architect in France and Japan before specializing in the field of major risks and completing a doctorate in geography dealing with the evacuation of a coastal population in an urban environment in a multi-risk context, by implementing the STEP multi-agent simulation model. Since then, she has worked on issues of building damage in a cyclonic context, evacuation of populations in the event of flooding in an urban environment. Currently self-employed, she carries out expert and research missions in the field of major risks combining architecture and geography, in conjunction with an artistic activity and scientific illustration.
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