This book presents the results of the second international MasterClass hosted by Metrolab in January and February of 2019, on the theme of urban ecosystems in Brussels. The event was the outcome of a transdisciplinary methodological reflexion on the relations between urban ecologies and urban policies. How can urban ecosystems be approached from a transdisciplinary perspective? How can urban projects such as ERDF be mobilized to initiate a socio-ecological transition?
This second Designing Brussels Ecosystems MasterClass explores the topic of urban ecology as part of a transdisciplinary methodological exploration of urban ecosystems and socio-ecological transition. How can urban ecosystems be approached from a transdisciplinary perspective? How can urban projects such as ERDF be mobilized to initiate a socio-ecological transition? The introduction to this publication defines the Metrolab approach to the concept of urban ecosystem and the methodology for investigating urban ecosystems. This methodology and the themes were defined by a group of researchers from Metrolab (Andrea Bortolotti, Bernard Declève, Geoffrey Grulois, Roselyne de Lestrange and Corentin Sanchez Trenado) in close collaboration with a scientific committee of local and international experts (Elena Cogato-Lanza, Brian McGrath and Serge Kempeneers) and the two Metrolab managers (Sara Cesari and Louise Prouteau). The introduction is followed by a presentation of the four Brussels Ecosystems explored during the Brussels Ecosystems Conference and Masterclass.
It was prepared by a larger group of Metrolab researchers also including Marine Declève, Anna Ternon, Chloé Salembier and Stephan Kampelmann.
Following this introduction, the publication presents the design exploration co-produced by thirty researchers with diverse disciplinary and geographical backgrounds (Belgium, Italy, Spain, US, Turkey, France, China, etc.), in close collaboration with key stakeholders from Brussels. The publication closes with critical insights from the researchers at Metrolab and the international experts on the scientific committee (Elena Cogato-Lanza and Brian McGrath). We hope the Designing Brussels Ecosystems MasterClass and this publication are a first step toward building collective knowledge ecology in Brussels Ecosystems.
