Paper short abstract:

After a storm in a valley in Maritime Alps there is a lot to reconstruct. After a big-scale destruction, all hands are needed to mend the hardscapes and relationships between those that dwell there. What, if any, new types of relationalities are nascent in the aftermath of a catastrophe?

Paper long abstract:

After a storm in one valley in Maritime Alps, there is a lot to reconstruct. The road - main artery connecting this French valley to both Ligurian coast and Piedmont, - was mostly eaten by an extreme flooding of the river alongside which it ran. After such a big-scale destruction, all hands are needed to reconstruct bits and pieces of the hardscapes of the valley as well as relationships between those that dwell there. The valley sees an influx of humanitarian aid as well as volunteers from all over France and beyond, and a mobilization of local people, seemingly leading to new solidarities. What new types of relationalities in form of enchantments, disillusionments, caring or others are nascent in the aftermath of a catastrophe? What do they disclose about the relationships between humans and the relationships they have with their environments?