Compte rendu du Symposium Villes, Migrations et Intégration Urbaine

© 2024 EPFL

© 2024 EPFL

December 18–20, 2024 | Copernicus Room, EPFL
The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the International University of Rabat (UIR) successfully organized a hybrid international symposium on the theme "Cities, Migrations and Urban Integration". This collaborative effort is part of the research project "Moroccan Cities and Migrations", led by Jérôme Chenal and Nawal Benabdallah, PhD.
This major event brought together more than 60 participants from 20 universities across 15 countries, fostering rich exchanges and paving the way for new collaborations in the fields of urban studies, migration and integration.

December 18–20, 2024 | Copernicus Room, EPFL

The round table was dedicated to the spatial dynamics of urban migration, exploring the interactions between migration flows, spatial planning, and planning challenges in a context of increasing urbanization. The discussions made it possible to identify new perspectives and courses of action to better integrate migration flows into urban policies.

The 8 thematic sessions addressed a variety of key topics, including:

  1. Urban governance and migration policies
  2. Integration challenges in African urban areas
  3. Urban transformations and migration dynamics in Morocco
  4. Migrants' adaptation strategies and trajectories
  5. Internal migration and urban planning in the face of migration flows

The closing session was dedicated to innovations for the inclusion of migrants in urban areas, highlighting practical solutions, technological tools, and participatory approaches to foster sustainable integration.

A wide range of academic and research institutions contributed to the richness of the discussions:

  • Switzerland: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
  • Morocco: International University of Rabat, Mohammed V University, Hassan II University, Ibn Zohr University, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Ibn Tofail University.
  • Africa: University of Carthage (Tunisia), University of Yaoundé 1 (Cameroon), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), University of Lomé (Togo), Alassane Ouattara University (Côte d'Ivoire), Adam Barka University of Abéché (Chad), Joseph KI-ZERBO University (Burkina Faso).
  • France: University of Paris-Saclay.
  • Canada: University of Montreal, University of Quebec, Laval University.

Key outcomes of the symposium include:

  1. Presentation of the results of the research project "Moroccan Cities and Migrations"
  2. Highlighting innovative approaches to urban governance and migration management
  3. Lays the foundation for future collaborations and knowledge exchanges

A big thank you to all the participants for their commitment and contributions that made this symposium a memorable and enriching experience!

Financement

Leading House MENA - University of Applied Sciences - HES-SO