URBAMOSSON
The URBAMOSSON project is being incubated at the LLUNAM Living Lab (PEPR SOLU-BIOD) from 2025 to 2027. It is part of a research-training-action approach aimed at developing urban projects grounded in Nature and Society, rooted in social and territorial ecology, and thus offering alternatives to the “Montpellier’s Major Urban Development Project by the Sea” conceived over 50 years ago. Faced with a highly attractive coastal model, marked by urbanization and tourism and set to undergo significant changes in the future, the project proposes a new narrative for the territory between rivers, lagoons, and the Mediterranean.
In particular, the project employs participatory and sensitive approaches to identify and cross-reference environmental and social inequality issues along the Mosson River. URBAMOSSON is developing co-creation initiatives with local stakeholders (elected officials, technical staff, associations, residents, etc.) to design urban-river projects tailored to local realities and meeting the needs of both humans and non-humans.
Project deliverables as work progresses
The URBAMOSSON project uses a variety of formats—exhibitions, videos, booklets, and more—to promote discussion and debate, fostering sustainable cooperation between science, society, and local communities.
The Mosson River: between nature and urban fringe
(Grabels and Juvignac)
Adjusting the porosity of spaces within a rhythmic design framework to create a new division of space and time between humans and non-humans
The Mosson River: between a popular neighbourhood and a suburban area
(Montpellier and Juvignac)
Balancing urban renewal, ecological restoration of the river, and social justice
The Mosson River between scrubland and ponds
(Lavérune, Saussan, Fabrègues, Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, Saint-Jean-de Védas and Lattes)
Restore the respect and prominence of the mysterious, little-known, and inaccessible Mosson
To watch the first presentation of the project and view the Workshop 2026 Report Booklet:
Three additional sections will be studied in 2026–2027 to cover the entire length of the Mosson River.
Team project
The project is led by the faculty of the URBA Master’s program in “Urban Planning, Urban Projects, and Alternative Models” at the University of Montpellier Paul-Valéry and the research team at UMR 5281 ART-Dev.
- Valérie LAVAUD-LETILLEUL
- Isabelle BERRY-CHIKHAOUI
- Marie LECUYER
- François VALEGEAS
The project team also provides professional and technical coordination.
- Clément BODIN, Urban planner, La Strada, Montpellier
- Paul LENGEREAU, Architect and urban planner, La Strada, Montpellier
- Pascal BISTON, Les Ziconofages, Montpellier
The project is being carried out thanks to the involvement of the classes of 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 as part of their second-year workshop in the URBA Master’s program.
Project News
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