Review of an emerging participatory research project on making the practices of residents from the Lyon's 9th arrondissement more green

Context of the project

Research overview

This research project, co-constructed in spring 2023 by the Boutique Des Sciences and the two partner associations, was developed by Célia Mébarki between February and summer 2024 as part of a research internship. The research was based on an experiment called ‘Quartier Zéro Déchet’ (Zero Waste Neighbourhood) developed since 2021 by the associations Mouvement de Palier and Zéro Déchet Lyon in the Valmy neighbourhood. 

The study analysed the modalities, obstacles and levers for making practices greener (i.e. the adoption or transformation of everyday practices towards greater sustainability) by the residents of the 9th arrondissement, using as entry points 6 places/structures bringing together a certain number of so-called ecological practices (gardens, composters, recycling centres). 

The study identified two fundamental levers for greening practices: manual practice and collective practice. It also enabled the ‘Zero Waste Neighbourhood’ experiment to be put into perspective, highlighting the political and social implications of ecological transition, and placing it in the context of the whole arrondissement, as well as wider ecological issues than just waste reduction.

Restitution

A public presentation of this project was organised on 26 September 2024 at the Agora, a third-place for citizens in the 9th arrondissement of Lyon, in the presence of 15 participants and a local representative, François Genouvrier,1st Deputy for Ecological Transition, Heritage and Public Lighting. After a brief contextualisation of the project by the partner associations and the Boutique des Sciences, the student shared her methodology and the main results of her research. 

The event was structured around two objectives: to bring together all the people who had actively participated in the research (voluntary workers, people we met, employees, etc.), and to enable them to get to know each other and think collectively about the neighbourhood and its ecological future. To do so, the participants were invited to get to know each other over a certain period of time, sharing the objects, events and experiences that have marked their connection with ecology. A brainstorming workshop was then held to enable everyone to identify the projects/ideas they would like to see implemented in the neighbourhood for more ecology, and to share the resources and needs associated with these projects.

Follow-up and perspectives

The results of this research will soon be put to use by the two partner associations in their local actions to reduce waste.
The associations have also continued their discussions on waste reduction with Marion Crétinon, 2nd Deputy Mayor of the 9th arrondissement, responsible for employment, the sustainable economy and commercial life, which suggests that these initiatives will become more involved in local political life.

Since the end of the project, the two associations have continued their work. In addition, the 9th arrondissement town hall is holding an event as part of the European Week for Waste Reduction.

In addition, another Boutique des Sciences project will take place in 2024-2025 in the 9th arrondissement, in conjunction with the neighbourhood council, and will focus on the theme of tree heritage. It will enable members of the neighbourhood council, elected representatives from the local authority and the Boutique des Sciences to continue exploring together the many different ways of living in a context of transition.

Links and contributions to public life

Among the 15 participants was François Genouvrier, 1st Deputy for Ecological Transition, Heritage and Public Lighting. He highlighted the value of this on-board research approach, which provides a new way of looking at neighbourhood life and the issues of ecological transition and waste reduction.
The 1st Deputy also expressed interest in the Boutique des Sciences programme, with which he was unfamiliar, and in the idea of hosting local research students.The scientific analyses developed as part of this project will help inform other projects being developed in the 9th arrondissement and facilitate their implementation.

Another project with the Science Shop is due to take place in 2024-2025 in the 9th arrondissement, in conjunction with the Conseil de Quartier, and will focus on the theme of heritage trees, of which François Genouvrier has been informed.

The workshops held as part of the restitution process helped to highlight to the representatives the wide range of views on ecology, as well as the broad range and federative nature of the local initiatives already put in place by local residents.

​​