Healthy Communities: A Week to Explore the Links Between Environment and Health
From March 31 to April 4, 2025, Montpellier hosted the “Territoires en Santés” Spring School, a scientific event organized in collaboration with local stakeholders as part of the Anthropocene Campus.
This week of discussions, training sessions, and fieldwork brought together doctoral students, researchers, professionals in the fields of the environment, health, and the humanities and social sciences, as well as representatives from civil society and local governments, all united by a common goal: to better understand the interconnections between human health, ecosystems, and regional dynamics.
Conceived as a space for learning and the collaborative development of knowledge, the École de Printemps offered lectures, workshops, exploratory walks, and group presentations that brought together scientific perspectives, on-the-ground expertise, and the emotional connections tied to a particular region.
The approach adopted draws on the theoretical frameworks of the exposome, One Health, and nature-based solutions, applying them to local realities and the concrete challenges facing the Montpellier region: increasing urbanization, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
The field sessions were one of the highlights of the week. They provided an opportunity to illustrate environmental and health issues using real-life examples from the Montpellier metropolitan area.
Tuesday: La Mosson: Water Management and Urban Wildlife
A two-part exploration of the Mosson River introduced participants to issues related to water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and the coexistence of humans and wildlife in urban environments.
- The Health of the Mosson: How can we assess the ecological condition of a waterway? What are residents’ perceptions of it? What public policies are needed to protect it?
- Wild boars in the city: This walk raised questions about wildlife management, perceptions of “wildlife” in urban settings, and their health and social impacts.
Wednesday: The Lez River, Biodiversity, and Urban Tensions
The second day of fieldwork focused on the Lez River, combining nature exploration with discussions on urban greening and invasive species.
- The ecological quality of the Lez River, restoration initiatives, and the river’s use as a public space were discussed with managers and scientists.
- Health concerns associated with greening, such as the proliferation of mosquitoes.
- Special attention was paid to the presence of coypu, an invasive species.
Thursday: Pollution, Infrastructure, and Water Governance
On Thursday, the discussion delved deeper into the issue of water pollution and water governance through:
- A tour of experimental soil remediation sites, focusing on reducing pollutants through the transformation of urban soils.
- A meeting with the Water Authority to gain a better understanding of drinking water production systems, as well as governance and transparency issues, in the context of climate change and growing pressure on water resources.
Friday: Summary and Outlook
The week concluded with a morning session for group debriefing, during which participants presented what they had learned over the course of the week, discussed the tensions between ecological goals and social constraints, and identified potential courses of action for their own research or intervention projects.
The “Territoires en Santés” Spring School helped establish an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach that integrates the social sciences, ecology, public health, and urban planning.
This diversity of approaches has fostered a better understanding of the complex interactions between living environments, public policy, and social dynamics.
The strong involvement of local institutions, organizations, and scientists gave the event a practical, community-rooted character that was firmly focused on transformation.
This week’s event would not have been possible without the involvement of many individuals and organizations: A big thank you to the speakers for their insightful contributions, to the participants for their dedication throughout the week, and to our scientific, institutional, and nonprofit partners who provided their expertise and logistical support.
This school was organized and funded by the Centre des Politiques de la Terre at Idex Paris-Cité and the ExposUM Institute at the University of Montpellier and its partners, in collaboration with the City of Montpellier and the Montpellier Metropolitan Area. It would not have been possible without the participation of numerous stakeholders on the ground. It is the fifth edition of the Anthropocene Campus, organized annually by the Centre des Politiques de la Terre.
This school is just one of many steps toward developing and implementing One Health approaches in Montpellier and the Occitanie region. We are currently working on ways to share the results, particularly through an exhibition, to ensure that what was learned and produced during this week continues to be brought to life.
Videos: Healthy Communities
The “Territoires en Santé” Spring School, a scientific event organized as part of the Anthropocene Campus in collaboration with local stakeholders, was a highlight of discussions, collective exploration, and reflection on regional health.
To capture the richness of this experience, several formats were produced: illustrations depicting the week’s key moments, as well as two companion videos.
The first video is entirely dedicated to the Spring School. It chronicles the event’s proceedings, its objectives, key presentations, and collaborative sessions. Through participant testimonials and footage shot on-site, it offers an in-depth look at this experimental initiative.
https://www.canal-u.tv/chaines/msh-sud/ecole-de-printemps-territoire-en-santes
The second video takes a more sensitive and immersive approach. It takes the form of a poetic vignette that invites viewers to explore the current dynamics in Montpellier and to delve into the discussions surrounding the implementation of “One Health” approaches. Through contemplative and evocative storytelling, it allows viewers to experience the spirit of the region, its challenges, and the connections between human, animal, and environmental health.
https://www.canal-u.tv/chaines/msh-sud/montpellier-territoire-en-santes
Illustration by Aya Berteaud – ayadesign:
