Seeing declivity in the city. Identification and discussion of river slopes' roles in the urban metabolism of Liège

The urbanisation of the last century has paid little attention to landforms, particularly those of river slopes. In the broader context of the need to re-consider humanity's relationship with natural resources, river slopes effectively receive little attention apart from sectoral hydro or geomorphological considerations. In the particular framework of Liège's sectoral plan, this results in a simplification of the urban morphology, corresponding to a banalisation of the border landscape between the plateau and river valley as an area primarily designated for residential use. Beyond these considerations, however, there has recently been renewed interest in the role of river slopes within urban metabolism, both as an interface and landscape continuity environment and as a cultural and recreational resource for populations. Starting from field exploration, the declivity is observed through thematic cartography and an analysis of the found slope conditions (e.g., land use, exposure, percentage of slope inclination, distance from the city centre). The contribution makes it possible to recognise the existence of a group of river slopes and to understand their articulation in minimum units, variable geometries and geo-systems; at the same time, to identify some recurring types of use, discussed in the light of potential influencing factors. Beyond residential use, the contribution suggests the perspective of reflecting on the role of river slopes within the urban metabolism, integrating into planning tools the multiplicity of uses - and, therefore, of potential different human-environment interactions or significances - found by seeing the declivity in the city.