Abstract 

In this presentation I investigate the case of study of waterways and terrestrial routes of the city of Poitiers (FR), through the impact of topography, roads and waterways on the city’s internal structure, as well as its position within the regional urban network. Special attention is devoted on how natural topography and crossing points fittings (fords, bridges, passage-boat) influenced the setting up of principal routes and various hubs in the city center and surrounding (castles, monasteries, markets, etc.). Moreover, the repercussions of fluvial infrastructures (mills) on navigation constitute another important aspect of this research, focused on boats evolution and diversity through time.

The time frame stretches from the first urban phase of Poitiers until the end of the 17^th century when the last attempt to make the Clain river navigable for shipping failed again and sealed the very end of the fluvial traffic of Poitiers. Poitiers is located in a hilly area situated at the Clain and Boivre river’s confluence. The topographic context and the role of crossroad in comparison with the terrestrial antic roads and to the Clain and Boivre waterways make it a particularly pertinent case of study.

Approaching urbanism as network dynamics represents the key of this research which naturally links to the UrbNet project providing relevant comparison to drive my ongoing work on the urban network surrounding Poitiers.