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Structure

Working Groups: The backbone of the Action

WG1. Ontology & Terminology

The objective of WG1 is to create a comprehensive glossary of ‘vague’ terminology for Terrain Vague, employing methods from Applied Ontology. This will enable the understanding of linguistic and cultural cross-referencing and the development of a common language, interpretation, and communication across sectors, contexts, and disciplines. This is important when addressing the challenge of diverse stakeholder perspectives, which do not always converge into common approaches and often work in isolation without cross-sectoral learning, collaboration, and exchange.

Tasks and Activities

  1. Conduct a literature review to identify key terms and concepts and the theoretical underpinnings of Terrain Vague (cross-referencing findings with WG2, including literature review & best practices analysis);
  2. Develop common operational definitions and an analytical framework, employing methods from applied ontology to classify and systematise definitions related to urban Terrain Vague spaces across key spatial scales, including anthrozoological perspectives via the ‘right to the city’ for all species (WHO One Health framework, 2017), threaded through subsequent WGs and tasks (e.g. WG2 – 2.4, and WG3);
  3. Develop a comprehensive glossary of terms used across disciplines and regions through an expert stakeholder workshop / knowledge exchange event and an applied ontology training school, and produce reports of both;
  4. Revisit and consolidate the glossary as an online resource within the OBSERVISTA platform;
  5. Develop or update educational modules based on OBSERVISTA’s findings and transdisciplinary integration of insights from other disciplines into planning education;
  6. Set a research agenda by identifying key research questions and priorities for planning education and practice, and facilitate collaborative research projects;
  7. Translate WG1’s findings into policy recommendations and organise policy-focused workshops or roundtables at planning conferences.

WG2. Repurposing in Practice

The objective of WG2 is to explore innovative repurposing models that can positively impact urban landscapes; to analyse and document implemented case studies and potential Terrain Vague sites in different European contexts. This WG will collaborate closely with WG1 on classification methods and with WG3 on toolkit development, ensuring a comprehensive approach to repurposing Terrain Vague.

Tasks and Activities

  1. Identify and classify a longlist of Terrain Vague case studies from participating countries, defining typologies based on geographic location, climate, intervention type, community appropriation, informal processes, biodiversity value and socio-ecological impact;
  2. Create an interactive digital map of Terrain Vague sites and their characteristics;
  3. Select and categorise case studies into (a) implemented best-practice projects for exploring innovative repurposing approaches, and (b) potential sites for testing ground and scenario building;
  4. Select a shortlist of 5 urban Terrain Vague sites to visit as best-practice examples, and document and analyse their repurposing processes, practices and actions;
  5. Run Scenario Building Workshops and a training school across up to 3 Terrain Vague sites, testing scenarios with different focuses and involving local communities in co-creation;
  6. Develop the OBSERVISTA practical toolkit for innovative and sustainable repurposing, focused on climate resilience, biodiversity enhancement, social inclusion and public health outcomes, including interactive elements such as a game or podcast series.

WG3. Cultural, Political & Legal Contexts

The primary goal is to evaluate governance mechanisms and processes related to Terrain Vague by identifying and comparing key political, legislative and administrative issues, assessing gaps, and inconsistencies at international and domestic levels (RCO3). This facilitates policy recommendations for more equitable and sustainable urban environments. Building on WG2’s activities, WG3 provides specific knowledge on cultural, political, and legal contexts impacting Terrain Vague approaches while fostering cross-WG knowledge transfer.

Tasks and Activities

  1. Synthesise and analyse existing legislative, administrative, and planning frameworks for Terrain Vague, establishing guidelines for international best practices applicable at a global level;
  2. Investigate relationships between political ideologies and approaches to Terrain Vague, and explore the role of language in how local context informs perception of Terrain Vague;
  3. Explore synergies between Terrain Vague and key sustainability policies — climate adaptation plans, nature restoration law, SDGs, etc. — at national, EU, and global level;
  4. Identify innovative methods for urban participatory approaches, focusing on policy and practice;
  5. Facilitate knowledge transfer with policymakers, stakeholders and fellow scholars through a knowledge-exchange policy event, a workshop and a training school;
  6. Translate WG3’s findings into policy briefs/reports, disseminated through conferences and publications, and develop the OBSERVISTA Legal/Cultural framework;
  7. Co-organise and contribute to the final, multi-stakeholder conference to share findings and outline a roadmap for future collaboration between research and policy.

WG4. Visual & Media Communication

The main objective is to develop a dynamic observatory for sharing knowledge related to Terrain Vague and to visualise and disseminate the research content and results, making them clear and accessible to academics and all other stakeholders. This involves designing, implementing, and maintaining an online platform and associated tools (social media posts) conceived in a way that allows for updates and inputs even after the project’s conclusion.

Tasks and Activities

  1. Develop and maintain the OBSERVISTA online observatory platform — an interactive, dynamically updated observatory of Terrain Vague projects featuring at least 20 entries from 10+ participating countries, updated quarterly;
  2. Collect and make results from the other Working Groups accessible and visualisable on the platform: Glossary and Scientific Repository (WG1), Projects and Case Studies Library and Mapping (WG2), and the Legal/Cultural Framework (WG3);
  3. Integrate the online observatory into existing Pan-European resources (e.g. AESOP’s open-access repository) and disseminate findings through partners’ channels;
  4. Create project branding guidelines and visual identity, and develop interactive maps and data visualisations;
  5. Produce visual storytelling materials, infographics and visual guides for best practices, with WG2 and WG3;
  6. Co-organise conferences, workshops, training schools and case study visits/STSMs to Terrain Vague projects across Europe;
  7. Support the organisation of the final international conference and the curation of an accompanying exhibition;
  8. Manage social media presence and engagement to reach the broadest possible audience;
  9. Ensure scientific dissemination through journal publications, conference participation, a thematic repository, and a book on the experience of the COST Action.