Seeing Rivers Differently: Mapping Hydrosocial Reconnection through the Case of the Bièvre
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Abstract
Urban ecological restoration projects raise important questions about the relationship between rivers and societies, beyond hydraulic or ecological objectives alone. Focusing on the Bièvre River, a small watercourse in the Paris region that has been partially restored after decades of burial, this article develops a relational perspective based on the concept of hydrosocial connectivity. This framework jointly assesses accessibility, visibility, uses, and landscape integration of the river within the urban fabric. A field survey was conducted along the entire river, leading to the identification of six distinct city–river interface profiles. The analysis reveals a highly fragmented continuum and highlights the critical role of land tenure, governance arrangements, and urban legacies in shaping the potential for reconnection. A comparison with four other rivers (Morbras, Croult, Petit Rosne and Oudon) helps assess the transferability of the framework. In conclusion, the proposed analytical grid serves as an operational tool for planning, contributing to more integrated approaches to urban ecological restoration.