Precariousness and solidarity in small and medium-sized cities – PREcare

The PREcare project involves researchers and academics specialized in geography (social and urban geography, spatial analysis), demographic studies as well as urban planning and development, and members of the French Red Cross (Croix Rouge Mobilités). The project aims to contribute both theoretically and operationally to the analysis of precariousness in small and medium-sized French cities, and solidarity-based actions (whether public, associative or informal) meant to support the most vulnerable. To what extent do situations of precariousness in small and medium-sized towns have specific characteristics? In which ways are they largely invisible? Which support systems for the most vulnerable are being implemented both within and outside the public sector?

The project rests upon three key hypotheses: 1. precariousness in small and medium-sized cities may have increased in recent years, and may present spatial logics that need to be understood on an inter- and intra-urban scale; 2. it may be a phenomenon that is largely invisible, in the face of discourses and actions that focus above all on residential and economic attractiveness; 3. Small and medium-sized towns may be characterized by the central role played by the associative sector and more informal forms of local solidarity aimed at the most vulnerable, which may be more particularly due to interpersonal connections which may be facilitated in these towns.
By combining national and local statistical and cartographic analyses, semi-structured interviews and the production of a video documentary, the PREcare project aims to make a theoretical and operational contribution to the analysis of precariousness in small and medium-sized cities. It is at the heart of the D7 theme "Societies and territories in transition" and will contribute to understanding the complexity of precarious situations in small and medium-sized cities, from the national to the local level, along with the actions implemented to tackle the social division of space in non-metropolitan areas. It provides a response to local and national demands for a better grasp of precarious situations in these areas and the action strategies enforced.
The research team is familiar with the context of small and medium-sized cities and is highly experienced in the use of quantitative methods (databases, multi-criteria indicators) and qualitative methods (semi-structured interviews, scientific documentaries). The research on precariousness and local solidarity emerged from initial exploratory fieldwork carried out in Ruffec and Angoulême (Charente). This work was combined with initial statistical analyses carried out on a national scale and discussions with stakeholders outside the academic world who expressed an interest in participating in the research team's discussions — the French Red Cross and the Agence Nationale de la Cohésion des Territoires.
The project aims to measure accurately and distinguish situations of precariousness in small and medium-sized cities on both a national scale (including overseas territories) and inner-city scale (central municipalities and urban areas). It equally involves inquiring into the practices and representations of populations in precarious situations as well as the types of initiatives meant to support them, whether in the context of public action, associative involvement or forms of family solidarity.
The project is divided into four workpackages (WP): WP1. Measuring precariousness and solidarity in small and medium-sized French towns; WP2. Understanding social and spatial experiences of precariousness; WP3. Analysing solidarity actions towards populations in precarious situations; WP4. Making precariousness and solidarity visible in small and medium-sized towns.