Home>Study trip to Le Havre: urban transitions, city-port interface and social dynamics
23 February 2026
Study trip to Le Havre: urban transitions, city-port interface and social dynamics
Urban transitions, city-port interface and social dynamics: what levers of transformation for Le Havre?
Students enrolled in the Master 1 Regional and Urban Strategy programme took a study trip to Le Havre from 9 to 12 February 2026. The trip aimed to provide a cross-disciplinary overview of the major changes underway in this port city, at the crossroads of urban, environmental, social, and cultural issues.
Through meetings with institutional, port, associative, and academic actors in the region, the students analysed how Le Havre has articulated urban development, ecological transition, and major risk management. The city-port interface was a common thread throughout the trip, particularly through the observation of port-area transformations, new uses of the waterfront, and redevelopment projects related to maritime activity.
The programme also highlighted the promotion of Le Havre's heritage, inherited from the Reconstruction and listed by UNESCO, as well as the cultural and development policies that have contributed to the revitalisation of the rebuilt city centre. Field visits provided insight into how public spaces, cultural facilities, and architectural projects have contributed to renewing the city's image and practices.
Finally, the trip paid particular attention to the social dimensions of urban transformation. Meetings with associations and social housing stakeholders shed light on the challenges of integration, social cohesion, and housing. At the same time, discussions with the university provided insight into the role of a campus in the city's development and attractiveness.
We want to thank all the speakers for the quality of their contributions, and in particular:
- Hélène Baril, Director of Urban Planning and Ecological Transition for the City of Le Havre;
- Brigitte Fouilland, Associate Professor of Social Sciences and former Executive Director of the Urban School;
- Michaël Hauchecorne, Director of the Sciences Po Le Havre Campus;
A highlight of the trip was the meeting with Mr. Édouard Philippe, Mayor of Le Havre and President of Le Havre Seine Métropole, and Mr. Jean-Baptiste Gastinne, First Deputy Mayor in charge of Urban Planning and the Environment for the City of Le Havre.
Excerpts from the programme:
- Presentation of the region and its challenges by the AURH with Vincent Duteurtre, Director of the AURH, and Thierry Lochard, Urban Planner in charge of urban mobility projects at the AURH.
- Looking at Le Havre, from the New York skyline to the silhouettes of Le Havre, led by Joséphine Billey, landscape architect at the AURH.
- From the Jardin Fluvial to the Grand Quai – led by Thierry Lochard, urban planner at the AURH.
- Strategies of the City of Le Havre and the Urban Community in the face of ecological transition and major risk management with Juliane Cousine (Deputy Director General for Sustainables and Quality of Life, Le Havre Seine Métropole Urban Community), Hélène Baril (Director of Urban Planning and Ecological Transition, City of Le Havre), Pascal Mallet (Head of Major Risks, Le Havre Seine Métropole Urban Community).
- Meeting with Ms Olivia Levasseur, Deputy Managing Director of the Le Havre HAROPA regional division.
- Visit to the port of Le Havre - Meeting with dockworkers.
- Meeting with the AHAPS association, testimony from the president and specialised educators.
- Meeting with the Trait d'Union association and its president.
- Visit to the Museum's public space development project and presentation on the cultural policies of the City of Le Havre. Presentation by Claire Baclet - Deputy Managing Director of the Culture, Heritage and City Events Department, and head of the Axe Seine project.
- Visit to Hangar Zéro and presentation of the A Docks project. Presentation by Pierre Bouysset, urban architect and co-founder of Hangar Zéro.
- The role and impact of the University on the City of Le Havre. Meeting with Michaël Hauchecorne (Director of the Sciences Po Campus in Le Havre).
- Meeting with social housing provider Logeo Seine, Groupe Action Logement. Presentation by Maxence Gourdault Montagne, Head of Strategic Housing Projects. Visit to the Axès project and a property development programme by Logeo Seine.
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