ENAC is EPFL’s school for the sustainable development of the natural and built environments. At a time of immense societal and environmental upheaval, our mission is to address some of the biggest challenges facing the world today: the threat of ecosystem collapse; infrastructure upkeep and renewal; rapid urbanization; and energy-intensive lifestyles. Our researchers apply their expertise in three strategic focus areas:
- Climate change
- Digitalization of infrastructures and cities
- Sustainable territories
Clusters: Solving challenges through interdisciplinary research
We have set up two research Clusters – one for each of our last two strategic focus areas.
These Clusters bring together specific expertise from many different circles – researchers, universities, research institutes, think tanks and civil society – to develop practical, sustainable solutions that address the needs of policymakers, businesses and wider society.
1. Cluster “Digitalization of Infrastructures and Cities”
This Cluster explores how digital technology and big data can be used to support the societal and ecological transition. Its general aim is to develop tools and methods for improved infrastructures and city management, with three main objectives:
- Drive a cultural shift in the construction industry towards greener, low-impact design methods
- Turn data into knowledge that can inform sustainable infrastructure-management policy
- Add new simulation layers to digital twins to support the design, operation and maintenance of physical infrastructures
2. Cluster “Sustainable Territories”
This Cluster uses a holistic vision of urban systems to develop more socially and ecologically sustainable approaches to urbanization. Its three main objectives are to:
- Find ways to shorten supply chains using multi-scale analyses
- Develop a whole-systems approach to urban planning that emphasizes people and their development
- Transform territories by reconfiguring the relationship between urban and rural areas
This Cluster explores how digital technology and big data can be used to support the societal and ecological transition.
This Cluster uses a holistic vision of urban systems to develop more socially and ecologically sustainable approaches to urbanization.
The liste of projects will be soon awailable…
The aim of this grant is to foster new interdisciplinary research collaborations within the new ENAC clusters “Digitalization of infrastructure and cities” and “Sustainable territories”.
Our FUSTIC network connects ENAC researchers with colleagues from other institutions and public- and private-sector organizations.