On Thursday 13 June, the Mediterranean Institute for Risk, Environment and Sustainable Development (IMREDD) hosted the inauguration of the Partnership Chair «Water in the territories of the Maritime Alps». This event, organised in collaboration with the Department of the Alpes Maritimes, the Université Côte d’Azur, and the Université Côte d’Azur Foundation, brought together numerous academic, institutional, economic, and associative stakeholders to discuss the challenges linked to water management in the current context of climate change.

An innovative initiative for water management

Faced with growing drought and flooding, which are disrupting the water cycle, the new Chair aims to respond to these challenges by uniting the strengths of the different territories of the Alpes-Maritimes. Drawing on the latest advances in research and innovation, the Chair aims to develop a strategy structured around three main areas:

1. Water resources and aquatic environments To develop methods for monitoring and analysing the quantity and quality of water, as well as modelling processes to anticipate possible futures.
2. The uses of the resource Establish precise diagnostics on water consumption in order to better manage critical periods of the year.
3. Water governance To propose tools and methods for integrating a long-term vision of water resources into a systemic approach, taking into account its links with energy, food production and the preservation of ecosystems.

An innovation laboratory for the Alpes-Maritimes

The Alpes-Maritimes region is establishing itself as a genuine testing ground, thanks to the diversity of its territories, which include the coast, countryside, mountains, and urban areas. The Chair supports the initiation of partnership projects in expertise, training, and research, thereby fostering a rich and varied innovation ecosystem.

With a five-year multi-year commitment, the ten founding members of the Chair aim to attract patron partners to work together on the production of scientific, technical, and educational innovations. Today, the Chair is seeking patrons to develop projects whose results will benefit local, regional, national, European, and international stakeholders.

Founding members and objectives

The founding members of the Chair are:

• Department of the Maritime Alps
• University of Côte d'Azur
• University Côte d'Azur Foundation
• Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolitan Area
• Sophia Antipolis Urban Community
• Cannes Lérins Area Community
• French Riviera Metropolitan Community
• Grasse Country Agglomeration Community
• Community of Communes of the French Alps
• Community of Communes of the Pays des Paillons

Implications for students and research

For students and doctoral candidates, the Chair offers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the professional world and gain a deep understanding of water-related issues. By participating in real-life case studies and collaborating with experts, they develop essential skills to become tomorrow's professionals, capable of meeting current and future water management challenges.

In conclusion, the inauguration of the Partner Chair «Water in the Maritime Alps territories» marks the beginning of a promising collaboration for sustainable water management, placing the Maritime Alps at the forefront of innovation and research in this crucial field.