InfraCARE
InfraCARE - Urban Infrastructures for Climate Action and Repair. Urban environments across the globe are facing increasingly complex challenges brought on by climate change. Scientific consensus indicates that climate impacts are felt disproportionately in socio-economically marginalized communities. In responding to these challenges, the InfraCARE thematic network delves into the multifaceted dimensions of urban climate justice by rethinking the dynamics between care and infrastructure, tracing out more inclusive and reparative infrastructure conditions in cities using a comprehensive and collaborative approach.
Category: ENLIGHT Thematic Network
University:
University of the Basque Country, University of Bern, University of Galway, University of Groningen
Period:
2025-2027
Urban environments across the globe are facing increasingly complex challenges brought on by climate change. Scientific consensus indicates that climate impacts are felt disproportionately in socio-economically marginalized communities. In responding to these challenges, the InfraCARE thematic network delves into the multifaceted dimensions of urban climate justice by rethinking the dynamics between care and infrastructure, tracing out more inclusive and reparative infrastructure conditions in cities using a comprehensive and collaborative approach.
The network will engage diverse stakeholders at local levels in knowledge co-production for local climate action, providing opportunities for mutual learning and deepening research connections on social infrastructures of urban climate justice. By positioning local stakeholders as key co-production partners, InfraCARE fosters inclusive decision-making processes that prioritize the voices and needs of marginalized urban populations across Europe.
Our interidisciplinary team brings together expertise in urban geography, political ecology, climate policy analysis, spatial planning, ecological economics, social anthropology, and participatory and feminist methodologies. The network will deliver high-quality research outputs through two research workshops and offer training and networking opportunities for students and early-career researchers through a summer school focused on urban infrastructures to tackle the climate crisis equitably and sustainably.
Personal highlight:
A highlight of the project is the development of a traveling photo exhibition depicting urban climate injustices from the eyes of partner universities' students. Using visual storytelling and photovoice, students will identify cases of perceived climate injustices and opportunities for care and repair in InfraCARE cities. This mobile exhibition will be showcased during the final conference in Groningen before traveling to Galway, Bilbao, and Bern, effectively communicating the central research concerns and values to the general public.
Participants and Stakeholders
Coordinator: University of Groningen.
University of Groningen (Netherlands)
- Dr. Ethemcan Turhan: ETN Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning.
- Prof. Ina Horlings: Full Professor of Socio-Spatial Planning.
- Dr. Özlemnur Ataol: Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning.
University of Galway (Ireland)
- Prof. Frances Fahy: Full Professor of Geography and Team Leader.
- Dr. Alma Clavin: Lecturer in Sustainability.
- Dr. Kathy Reilly: Associate Professor of Human Geography.
- Dr. Elaine Williams: Fixed Term Lecturer.
University of the Basque Country (Spain)
- Dr. Elisa Sainz de Murieta: Lecturer, Researcher, and Team Leader.
- Dr. Eneko Garmendia: Senior Lecturer and Researcher.
- Dr. Xabier Gainza: Senior Lecturer and Researcher.
- Sandra Rodriquez: PhD Student.
University of Bern (Switzerland)
- Dr. Deniz Ay: Senior Researcher, Lecturer, and Team Leader.
- Dr. Jevgeniy Bluwstein: Senior Research Fellow.
Stakeholders/External Partners:
- Public Administrations: Municipality of Groningen, Ihobe (Basque Government), and Galway City Council.
- NGOs & Research Groups: Stichting Toentje, SAUTI-Youth Project, Haus der Bewegungen, and the Basque Center for Climate Change (BC3).
Objectives
- Addressing urban climate justice and equity in ENLIGHT cities: Shedding light on complex intersections of local climate action, urban infrastructure, and social justice to ensure policies are inclusive and grounded in local contexts.
- Informing the IPCC's Cities assessment report: Drawing together evidence-based research from ENLIGHT members to inform global stakeholders on the role of social and physical infrastructures in achieving just climate action.
- Building capacity for early career researchers: Nurturing the next generation of scholars through research workshops and a summer school to develop conceptual and methodological skills grounded in local contexts.
Contact
Contact Person(s): Dr. Ethemcan Turhan
Email:
Project Website: https://infracare.org/
Additional information
Unique Features or Highlights:
- Focus on Care and Repair: The project centers on activities we do to remain, continue, and repair our world so we can live in it as well as possible.
- Non-Extractive Practice: The network works towards a non-extractive care-driven academic practice by bringing care, infrastructure, and climate change into conversation.
- Actionable Knowledge Outputs: Deliverables include an open-access framing article aimed at npj Climate Action and a special issue in top-tier planning and geography journals.
- Visual Arts Engagement: The use of photovoice and mobile visual storytelling to engage students and the general public on perceived climate injustices.