For small cities located on the banks of rivers, the renewal of uses and representations of river systems since the second half of the 20th century questions their place in urban metabolism. In view of the specific territorial issues at this urban scale, rivers and their surroundings can be a source of new potential as part of a socio-ecological transition. In this article, we use the concept of social connectivity of rivers to assess the potential for people to be close to the Oudon and Verzée rivers in the town of Segré, in the west of France. A typology of the forms of social connectivity of the city’s rivers is proposed and discussed in relation to the local environment. The results reveal spatial patterns in the potential for interaction with the rivers. Among other things, their analysis in terms of urban organisation raises questions about projects to regenerate the city centre.

For small cities located on the banks of rivers, the renewal of uses and representations of river systems since the second half of the 20th century questions their place in urban metabolism. In view of the specific territorial issues at this urban scale, rivers and their surroundings can be a source of new potential as part of a socio-ecological transition. In this article, we use the concept of social connectivity of rivers to assess the potential for people to be close to the Oudon and Verzée rivers in the town of Segré, in the west of France. A typology of the forms of social connectivity of the city’s rivers is proposed and discussed in relation to the local environment. The results reveal spatial patterns in the potential for interaction with the rivers. Among other things, their analysis in terms of urban organisation raises questions about projects to regenerate the city centre.