On 27 February 2025, IMREDD – Université Côte d’Azur hosted a Quebec delegation as part of a visit organised by CEREMA and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss climate risk adaptation policies and initiatives developed on both sides of the Atlantic.

A meeting about risks and resilience

IMREDD, recognised for its commitment to risk and resilience, was chosen as the demonstration site for this visit. Through its showroom and technological platform, the institute presented several projects carried out in collaboration with its research laboratories, local authorities and the business world. These projects illustrate the cooperation between academic, industrial and territorial stakeholders on these major issues.

The Quebec delegation was comprised of:

• Isabelle Thomas, full professor at the University of Montreal and director of the ARIACTION Research Group,
• Yannick Bourque, urban planner and risk management advisor at the Ministry of Public Security of Quebec,
• Sandra Garneau, risk management advisor at the Quebec Ministry of Public Security.

Enriching exchanges

During this visit, discussions focused on projects developed by IMREDD in relation to risks and resilience. The delegation was able to discover the innovative solutions implemented through collaborations between research laboratories, local authorities, and businesses.

Damienne PROVITOLO, Deputy Director of IMREDD, Research Director at the CNRS – UMR Géoazur and a member of the High Council for Climate in Nice, led the visit and provided insight into the scientific and territorial challenges related to climate risks.

The visit to the technology platform was led by Arnaud ZENERINO, Head of the Technology Platform, and Morgan ABILY, researcher, Assistant in Hydraulics at Université Côte d’Azur, who presented practical demonstrations of ongoing projects.

This visit was a valuable opportunity for sharing experiences and identifying possible synergies between French and Quebecois approaches. It demonstrates the importance of international collaboration in tackling climate challenges and strengthening the resilience of territories.

See some images from the visit below.