On October 11th, 2023, a workshop took place at EPFL with Jérémy Coeval, a French architect and scholar specialised on the Urban Anthropocene. The one-day workshop had a dual focus. First, we explored the intersection between recently promoted policies of ecological civilisation, and the application of the Anthropocene concept in China. Second, we aimed to uncover emerging perspective regarding the understanding of public space in China. 

To achieve these objectives, the EPFL team and our post-doctoral researcher based in Torino presented their ongoing findings, updated by data collected a few months earlier, in Chongli and Shougang. The morning session began with Jérémy exploring the Anthropocene perspective and its influence on the urban space. To enter into dialogue, Mengke presented her research on the ecological transition of the mountainous areas during late winter, early spring 2023, delving into the economic and social impacts of the post-Olympic Games on rural revitalisation and local populations. The afternoon session focused on current research related to public spaces in China, featuring a conceptual introduction by Jérémy. To explore emerging perspectives, Huishu and Florence presented their research on the role of grassroots leisure activities in appropriating “vacant” community lots as part of public spaces. Additionally, Helena and Florence discussed the specificities of the recently created public space in the former steel factory of Shougang.