Doctoral student (M/F) in Geography Pérennis Project - Maintenance of the Built Environment

id="offer-description" class="ecl-u-type-heading-2 ecl-u-mt-none ecl-u-mb-l">Offer Description Description of thesis topic . The Pérennis project . By bringing together environmental, economic, and social issues, the project proposes to examine a little-studied topic in order to explore how cities can adapt to climate change: the maintenance of urban technical heritage. Maintenance is understood as a series of technical actions and as a vehicle for transforming urban practices and knowledge. We examine how these practices can reconcile the sustainability of the built environment with adaptation to contemporary constraints and opportunities. The project highlights the strategic role of maintenance in the ecological transition and will explore the forms of knowledge, governance, and innovation that underpin it. The building and public works sector is a key area for addressing the climate challenge. As France’s largest energy consumer, it accounts for 23% of national GHG emissions and 69% of all national waste, according to ADEME (2024). In this context, strategies for the maintenance and upkeep of urban infrastructure are key drivers for a transition to a low-carbon economy, given that activities during the operational phase account for the largest share of this environmental footprint. Extending the service life of structures and preventing the need for major repairs—particularly through reparability—are promising alternatives for reducing environmental impacts. Emerging from