Low-tech approaches have come to the fore in the last few years, mainly in opposition to the techno-optimistic model proposed to solve current and future environmental crises. However, low-tech thinking is multifaceted, making the concept potentially rich but also vague. This article develops a seven-principle framework to categorize low-tech concepts based on an abductive approach which included a literature review and interviews with low-tech actors. Principle occurrence was assessed among the authors and interviewees. The results demonstrate that the low-tech movement entails more than a shift to robust and less-consumptive technical artifacts. While resource efficiency and material reuse are important traits of low-tech approaches, technical appropriation is the most frequently cited key principle in the literature and by the actors. This delineation into several principles can help to differentiate low-tech from other sustainability concepts related to resource conservation such as frugal innovations and circular economy. We aim in this article to open a discussion about the ways low-tech proponents are seeking to introduce transformative development pathways to sustainability.

Most self-proclaimed sustainable neighborhoods cover various concepts pertaining to the economic, social, environmental, and institutional pillars of sustainability. Depending on the developers' motivations, these concepts can be integrated unevenly. This study develops a framework to characterise the gap between what is advocated as necessary for sustainable neighborhoods and what is marketed as sustainable neighborhoods. A framework based on a sustainable neighborhood typology is developed using the Canadian province of Quebec as a case study. This is based on the main concepts underlying the four pillars of sustainability, but from a practical perspective. An analysis of sustainable initiatives (n = 29) shows a clear prioritisation of urban morphology on individual livability at the expense of participatory governance and sustainability awareness, especially for large projects promoted by private developers. A co-occurrence analysis suggests that smaller projects manage to integrate more sustainability aspects. The framework can be used to identify similarities and differences between development types for developing practical policy measures. This research highlights the importance involving public and private stakeholders at the early planning stage, in order to design more integrated projects. Policy relevance A gap is revealed between what is defined as urban sustainability and what is actually delivered by developers. Citizen participation is generally beneficial, but often lacking. There is scope for policymakers to provide compelling encouragement to build citizen involvement into the planning processes, particularly for larger neighborhood developments. From the example of the province of Quebec, this can take several forms. In some cases, more incentives from the public sector to involve citizens at the early stage of planning is favorable. This can allow stakeholders to outline the development strategy in neighborhoods. In other cases, municipalities can involve residents through a charter or regular local meetings. This requires more systemic municipal approaches to urban sustainability. Evidence suggests that local relocation of food and/or energy production can lead to successful cases of citizen participation and social solidarity.

De par une réorganisation de la spatialité des modes de production et de distribution d’énergie, la transition énergétique modifie de manière significative les relations intra- et interterritoriales, qui obéissent à une double logique de coopération et de compétition. Elle amène donc à s’interroger sur ces rapports de force en mutation, et dont la caractérisation est essentielle dès lors que l’on cherche à mieux appréhender l’évolution du métabolisme d’un territoire. En adoptant une approche multidisciplinaire de l’étude du métabolisme sur le cas d’un territoire portuaire, cet article propose d’examiner les typologies de compétitions territoriales selon différentes échelles (locale, régionale et internationale) et d’identifier le rôle qu’elles peuvent jouer dans la mise en œuvre de projets de transition énergétique. L’analyse multiscalaire met à jour une diversité de compétitions qui ne se réfèrent pas toutes aux mêmes enjeux. Elle met aussi en évidence l’incidence de la perception spatiale des acteurs sur la nature d’une relation (compétition ou complémentarité) entre différents éléments (entre ressources, entre territoires). Enfin, cette recherche montre que si les compétitions peuvent parfois constituer un frein à la mise en œuvre d’une transition territoriale, elles peuvent aussi être à l’origine d’une complémentarité dans les projets énergétiques.