### Pauline DETAVERNIER, architect, PhD in architecture  
Nils LE BOT, architect, PhD in urban planning, associate lecturer

*With thanks to Miriam Heipertz for translation assistance*



 

 

 



This article shortly presents the results of work conducted during the research project Urbalotek: for sober and resilient cities (2020-2022), jointly led by AREP agency and Institut Paris Region, with the support of ADEME Île-de-France.5 This work examines the possibility and relevance of translating low-tech approaches, hitherto applied to technical devices, to the urban and territorial scale.

The work begins with a broad review of contemporary urban thinking. It highlights, through critical analysis, a set of convergences, divergences, and interrelations of the different urban concepts. It, then, proceeds to compare the conceptual make-up of these urban concepts with the low-tech approach.

This comparison not only points out certain theoretical and practical aspects that various urban concepts have in common with the low-tech approach, but also identifies those that may be unique to the low-tech approach. Lastly, this reflection results in a possible definition of the low-tech city, not as a fixed concept but as the product of a new urbanism of discernment.



 

 

 



 

 

  [  ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/image/2022/11/54%20The%20low-tech%20city%20a%20first%20attempt_Page_1.jpg.webp?h=cbe464ec&itok=DdfmqtnI)  ](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2022/11/54%20The%20low-tech%20city%20a%20first%20attempt.pdf)  



[Read the article](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2022/11/54%20The%20low-tech%20city%20a%20first%20attempt.pdf)



 

 

 



 

 

 

 





[Contents page of this issue](/en/publications/veolia-institute-review-facts-reports/social-and-economic-challenges-ecological)

 



 

 

 

 

[Download the full pdf of this issue](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2022/11/Veolia_FACTS_TRANSFORMATION_ECO_GB_Web_Interactif_HD.pdf)