Georges-Henry Laffont

Georges-Henry Laffont is a Lecturer (Maitre de conférences) at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture (ENSA) of Saint-Étienne, affiliated with the EVS UMR 5600 research unit at the University of Lyon. His work bridges architecture, geography, and urban planning, with a strong focus on post-industrial contexts.

• Institution: University of Lyon
• School: École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture of Saint-Étienne
• Research Unit: EVS UMR 5600

His research interests include the performativity of ideals in producing inhabited spaces, resilience and conflict in territorial dynamics, and the materiality of individual and collective memories in post-industrial areas. He employs action research to explore how industrial heritage, patrimony, and the concept of the common good can shape the future of deindustrialized regions.

The two most recent articles highlight his focus on the transformation of industrial sites in France. They examine the evolving role of mining heritage in Saint-Étienne and the potential future of the 'valley of forges' at Pont-Salomon, analyzing these sites through the lenses of cultural narrative, community identity, and participatory planning.

Georges-Henry Laffont is an active researcher and presenter in the field of industrial heritage, as evidenced by his participation in the 'Industrial Heritage Reloaded' conference. His work contributes to sustainable and socially conscious approaches to urban regeneration in post-industrial landscapes.