Collection of ‘Zone Atelier Environnementale Urbaine’ (LTSER-ZAEU)
Co-constructing a sustainable urban environment
Focused on the ‘Eurometropole’ of Strasbourg, the ‘Zone Atelier Environnementale Urbaine’ (ZAEU) studies the functioning and dynamics of the urban socio-ecosystem. Better observation and understanding of this socio-ecosystem and its interactions across spatial and temporal scales allow for the implementation of coordinated actions to limit the multiple pressures on its natural and social components.
The urban socio-ecosystem: a complex system under multiple constraints
The ZAEU encompasses the Eurometropole’ of Strasbourg (EMS), bordered to the east by the Rhine River and the German border. It is one of the most densely populated regions in France, home to over 40% of the Bas-Rhin population, with a population density exceeding 1,500 inhabitants per km² (INSEE 2020).
The territory has a rich hydrographic network, contributing to landscape diversity and unique urban situations: high flood risks, complex supply networks, and a dense web of river and ecological corridors.
Urbanization has incorporated wetlands, alluvial forests, ponds, islands, and more into the urban fabric. Influenced by its strong connection to the Upper Rhine region, Strasbourg’s urban area holds a distinctive character at the national scale.
The main objective of the ZAEU is to co-construct knowledge through territorial observation and experimentation, in order to support decision-making and foster ecological transformation.
Key Themes
- Functioning of the urban socio-ecosystem
- Natural resources (biodiversity, air, soil, water)
- Human activities and pressures (mobility, residential areas, energy)

