About IMREDD
A history of innovation and territory
Conceived in 2007 as the Collège Interdisciplinaire Méditerranéen du Développement Durable (CIMEDD), the IMREDD took shape in 2012 within the Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (now the Université Côte d'Azur).
Backed by the support of local players, in 2020 it will become an Institute for Innovation and Partnerships (2IP), a fully-fledged component of Université Côte d'Azur. Initially housed on the premises of Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur in the heart of the Méridia district, IMREDD will inaugurate its own building in October 2020, financed under the State-Region Plan with the support of the South Region, the Alpes-Maritimes Department and Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.
Une mission transversale : innover, collaborer, former
Collaborative research & innovation
The IMREDD develops its activities within the framework of collaborative research contracts (academic or partnership chairs, consortiums, projects) and services (catalogue services, customised services, technological animation and demonstration). It promotes technology transfer and innovation rooted in the regions, with national and international reach.
The Institute participates in or responds to numerous calls for tenders (Université Côte d'Azur, local authorities, PIA, Europe, INTERREG, etc.) in connection with its Strategic Areas of Activity. Each project is based on close cooperation with socio-economic partners, in order to creating value for people and the environment.
Initial and continuing training
IMREDD designs, implements and hosts a diversified range of initial and lifelong training courses (school diplomas, training modules, qualification or non-degree courses such as master classes/summer schools, etc.).
In 2013, around ten Université Côte d'Azur training courses related to IMREDD themes were held on the Institute's premises (around 250 students). Since 2016, IMREDD has created and coordinated a training course focusing on smart and sustainable cities: the MSc Engineers for Smart Cities, In 2023, thanks to a partnership with École Centrale Méditerrannée (ECM), this will become a course in the Master of Science and Technology in Complex Systems Engineering, with a double degree from ECM and Université Côte d'Azur.
Animation and networking
IMREDD stimulates the territorial ecosystem by organising meetings, workshops, conferences and technology demonstrations promoting exchanges between researchers, companies, local authorities and citizens.
A committed player in innovation networks and governance bodies, It contributes to strategic discussions in conjunction with the sustainable transitions. In this way, the Institute plays a bridge between science, innovation and society.
A unique platform: the Smart City Innovation Center
The IMREDD building houses a collaborative technology platform state-of-the-art Smart City Innovation Center. Real living laboratory, It enables innovations to be designed, tested and deployed using advanced equipment:
-
3D printers, sensors, rain simulators
-
Autonomous vehicles, mobility solutions
-
Solar panels, wind turbines, smart batteries
-
Embedded systems, home automation, urban models
Investment in the scientific facilities of the Smart City Innovation Centre will amount to €5.7 million over the period 2015-2020, including €3.75 million in co-financing from public partners and €1.3 million in direct investment from companies:
- European Union - ERDF: €1.5 million
- French government: €0.4 million
- South Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region: €0.6 million
- Alpes Maritimes department: €0.5 million
- Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolitan Area: €0.75 million