Educational and socio-economics aspect of environmental science for sustainable city planning

To increase awareness of Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES), we need knowledge of the world that complements human understanding. Modern industrial technology has significant gaps in its knowledge as it is founded on a predominantly anthropocentric perspective that sets up a hierarchical relationship between human and nature. Findings from citizen science-led activities will develop an interrogative framework for an ecological epistemology capable of recognising specific forms of “information” and using these observations to develop testable principles for integrating non-human ways of knowing in the production, interpretation and synthesis of social/cultural insight and action that enables people to care for nature through the technical platforms they use. From design disciplines, social sciences, ICT and traditional sciences such knowledge practices can then be innovatively implemented and evaluated across a range of disciplines and applications through the direct channelling of the electricity as a primary “language” established between people and microbes. In line with the concerns of European Commission, WG1 activities fully take into account the issues of citizen involvement for the smart and sustainable cities through its multi-scalar, multi-spatial and multi-social dimensions. We believe in the benefits of bringing together the worlds of art, science and technology for the emergence of new social forms (related to the field of education). WG1 articulates several issues that are of great relevance to the educational sciences. EduBioCity is part of contemporary changes that concern partnerships between formal education (schooling) and non-formal education (e.g. associations, museums, art galleries…). Environmental and sustainable education are part of emerging curricular areas relating to, making education, STEAM, scientific culture, (virtuous) uses of digital technology, etc. Furthermore, Circular BioEconomy principles including bioremediation and environmental sensing is of great importance within WG1 activities. Owing to the flexibility of the BES platform, potential market opportunities are focussed on its uptake as a platform for the Circular BioEconomy, which can be customised by potential uptake audiences within sites as part of a targeted, integrated service and experience with significant Circular BioEconomy value to urban development. Citizen scientists key to the success of BES uptake, whose adoption becomes a product, service, experience, instrument of citizen empowerment and platform for environmental remediation that can be customised towards the needs of specific uptake communities.

WG Leader: Dr Rawad CHAKER

Université Lyon – rawad.chaker@univ-lyon2.fr