François Duchêne

The forgotten construction process of indicator sets: The social dimension of air pollution measurement in the Greater Lyons area (France)

Abstract Contrary to an idea that is widespread among technical stakeholders, technical data are no exception to social and local construction processes. Similarly, decision processes do not simply proceed, in a linear and mechanical way, from measurement to indicators, and from indicators to decision. On the contrary, indicators and monitoring devices, as technical tools, may well be conditioned by social, historical, political, economic or local factors, that could intervene at every level of their production. We will base our demonstration on the study of air quality measurements and indicators in the urban area of Lyons (France). After outlining the political and administrative background, we will present the historical context that generated observation and measurement of the environment, particularly air pollution, within the Greater Lyons area. Finally, we will consider the issues of indicator development within the Greater Lyons administrative authorities.