A French geographer, Guillaume Faburel, a professor at the University Lumière Lyon 2, has introduced a new idea in his recently released book Où habiter? (Where to Live?), published on September 10, 2026 by Tana Editions. The concept, called "démétropolisation," seeks to create a more balanced distribution of people between cities and rural areas. This idea challenges the global trend of "metropolisation," which focuses population, wealth, and power in a few large cities. Faburel argues that this concentration leads to environmental harm, social inequality, and a loss of local decision-making power. He points out that big cities consume massive amounts of energy and raw materials, often relying on resources from other regions, which makes them vulnerable to climate challenges like urban heat islands—areas that become significantly hotter than their surroundings due to human activity. Faburel promotes the idea of "territory relocation" and "biorégions" as part of a broader vision for a society less dependent on traditional urban living. The concept of territory relocation has been around since the 1970s and is now being revived to encourage a planned shift of people away from overcrowded cities, aiming to spread habitation more evenly across the country. "Biorégions" are regions defined by natural boundaries and designed to support self-sufficient communities without complete isolation from the outside world. Faburel also warns that the current system for supplying food and other essentials is not sustainable long-term, and he emphasizes the need to move food production and other local industries closer to where people live. According to Faburel, millions of people will need to transition into new jobs in areas like agriculture, craftsmanship, education, and caregiving. He uses the phrase "learn to live better with less" to highlight the importance of reducing consumption and adapting to a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle. He has identified seven large regions in France—called "refuge territories"—that could potentially take in part of the urban population without harming the environment. These areas include the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, the Alps and pre-Alps, Poitou, Normandy, the Morvan, and certain hills in the Centre-Brittany region. These regions were selected based on thirty different criteria, such as their ability to withstand extreme weather, avoid major risks like droughts or wildfires, and generate their own resources and energy from local materials. Faburel believes that by 2050, these areas could double their current populations without disrupting their ecological balance. His vision presents a radical alternative to the current urban-centric model, aiming to build a more resilient and equitable society in response to the growing climate and social challenges.