Research axis

The Post-Colonial Issue - Barbara Loyer

Nation, Nations, national and regional minorities - Béatrice Giblin

The numerous events that occurred over the last decade show that the concept of Nation remains a major territorial reference unlikely to disappear or merge into a larger political entity such as the European union or even European regions. But when one or several national minorities live in the same nation-state and when democracy allows territorial claims, Nation becomes a geopolitical issue.

Immigration, segregation and urban geopolitics - Frédérick Douzet

Both the United States of America and Europe are confronted with strong immigration patterns and high population mobility that lead to the emergence of new territories with increased cultural diversity. At the same time, segregation dynamics generate power rivalries, conflicts and sometimes urban violence. We are interested in developing a comparative approach to the issues of segregation and integration in democratic societies such as France and other European countries, that deal with demographic evolutions and public debates similar to those observed in the US.

Geopolitics of planning and Redevelopment- Philippe Subra

Planning and redevelopment decisions are generally guided by a degree of technical rationality, yet they often result from power struggles and competition between actors that are sometimes highly publicized and sometimes unknown from the public. Through a series of case studies, we develop tools to understand these conflicts and the forces that come into play in order to better prepare future planners, elected officials or citizens to actively participate to decision process.

Horn of Africa, East Africa - Alain Gascon

Since the collapse of single party systems in Africa and because of the major population growth, the African continent has started a process of territorial and identity reconstitution, within a context of political, social and environmental crises. In Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, the fall of dictatorships has resulted in the confrontation of anti-colonial state traditions with the emergence of post-colonial identities.