Saorge STORY

The "Saorge STORY" project aims to develop a cross-disciplinary, participatory methodology to address water-related issues in the village of Saorge, located in the Roya Valley, an area subject to major natural hazards such as landslides, floods and droughts. The aim is to understand the interactions between environmental dynamics (hydrology, geology) and human behavior (perception, uses of water) in this area. The project proposes a systemic and interdisciplinary approach, involving citizens in the production and management of scientific data. The innovation lies in the integration of scientific and local knowledge, in order to co-construct appropriate solutions for managing water resources and mitigating natural hazards. The results obtained will not only provide a better understanding of these phenomena at local level, but also create a methodology that can be reproduced in other territories. Working in collaboration with local residents, the project includes field measurements and geotechnical analyses, while promoting active citizen science, where residents play a key role in research. The project is coordinated by Sorbonne University and the association Remontons la Roya, and relies on experts in hydrogeology, geography and social psychology, with requested funding of €99,505 over 18 months.