IFSTTAR’s missions

The Institute has a key role to play in the debate on the accessibility, equitable distribution and safe use of public space in a context of increasing urbanization, limited resources of raw materials and with regard to sustainable development. It has thus been given the important political and social role of improving the living conditions of all members of society, while helping to protect fundamental rights such as mobility, safety (and security) and access to an environmentally-friendly living space that takes account of the individual. 

It relies on its existing expertise, particularly in the areas of civil engineering, mobility and road safety, but also intends to meet new challenges, especially in relation to climate change, sustainable development and ageing populations. IFSTTAR’s ability to pursue targeted research and adopt a systems approach, which is necessarily multidisciplinary, is reflected in the structure of its research programmes.

IFSTTAR’s scientific strategy for the next 10 years is based on 4 major scientific challenges:

Challenge 1 : Inventing sustainable transport and mobility
Analysis and innovation for sustainable and responsible transport and mobility.

Challenge 2 : Adapting infrastructure
Efficient and sustainable construction, deconstruction, preservation and modification of infrastructure.

Challenge 3 : Controlling natural hazards and our environmental impacts
Taking better account of climate change, natural hazards and environmental and health impacts in man-made environments.

Challenge 4 : Thinking and planning the cities and regions of the future
Designing and planning sustainable cities and regions: systemic and multi-scale approaches.    
 

By their very nature, these four challenges cut across disciplinary boundaries and illustrate how IFSTTAR’s research addresses societal issues.
To take up these scientific challenges that it has set itself, IFSTTAR must continue along its path of excellence, by:

• consolidating the specific approach embodied in its targeted research,
• promoting systems that encourage interdisciplinary research,
• strengthening a dynamic of partnership to the benefit of all parties,

• enhancing its influence and profile.
  
  

While IFSTTAR’s first goals and performance contract considers these challenges on a medium-term time scale, those that follow it will enable the Institute to update its scientific strategy as societal and scientific concerns evolve.