معرفی
Patrice Mele is a Professor at the University of Tours, France, and a member of the University Institute of France (IUF). He is affiliated with UMR CNRS 7324 - CITERES (Political and Social Construction of Territories), working within the Faculty of Law, Economics and Social Sciences. His research focuses on the intersection of geography, law, and environmental policy, with particular expertise in urban geography, territorial conflicts, and socio-ecological transitions. He leads the Construction politique et sociale des territoires (CoST) team within CITERES and serves as Co-president of the scientific council of GIS Democracy and Participation since September 2023.
Mele's research interests center on the role of heritage and environmental policies in urban space production, with a focus on changes in population-institution relationships with space. His work spans multiple countries including France, Argentina, Mexico, and Uruguay, examining urban, environmental, and heritage conflicts, the relationship between conflict and participation, and new forms of engagement for ecological transitions. He has developed theoretical positions and methodologies for analyzing conflict productivity and the relationship between conflict and participation through numerous international research programs.
His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the geography of law, ecological transitions, and the spatial dimensions of environmental governance. Mele's work increasingly examines how legal frameworks shape territorial conflicts and environmental management, particularly in Latin American contexts like Buenos Aires and the Matanza-Riachuelo river basin. His research shows a clear trajectory toward understanding the complex relationships between legal processes, environmental governance, and spatial justice in urban contexts.
- Member of the University Institute of France (IUF)
Professor Mele has coordinated multiple major research projects including TecDem (2023-2026) on ecological, democratic and social transitions, CONTRA (2021-2022) on territorial conflicts in Montevideo, and AGIRE (2018-2022) on waste management in the Centre-Val de Loire region. He previously directed UMR 7324 CITERES from 2012-2017, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of 117 permanent members and 75 doctoral students. His international collaborations include partnerships with institutions in Argentina, Mexico, and Uruguay.
Mele has held significant leadership roles including Director of the Construction politique et sociale des territoires team (2008-2011), Scientific Director of the 'Ville et études urbaines' axis at MSH Val de Loire, and member of the International College of Territorial Sciences (CIST). He has been actively involved in shaping geography education as responsible for the Geography, Environment, Planning, Development mention of the SHS Master's degree at University of Tours (2018-2022).
