On Wednesday 2nd April 2025, the TIPEE platform in Lagord hosted the launch event for the EPURE project – Estimation oPérationnelle des solutions d’adaptation à la sURchauffe urbainE (Operational Assessment of Adaptation Solutions to Urban Heat Island Effects). This three-year project, which arose from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region’s call for proposals for inter-technical centre projects, aims to develop a service to assess solutions for combating urban overheating in Nouvelle-Aquitaine at both building and neighbourhood levels.
Jointly led by TIPEE and CRITT Horticole, EPURE brings together several organisations committed to environmental transition: Soprema, SMAC, UNIKALO, SPIE Batignolles and Vegetek.
A call for proposals to promote cooperation between technical centers
The EPURE project forms part of the Inter-CT (Technical Centers) call for projects launched by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region. This initiative aims to encourage cooperation between regional technical centres on shared challenges, by capitalising on the complementary nature of their expertise. The aim is to stimulate innovation in support of the region’s environmental, economic and societal transitions. By bringing together the TIPEE platform, which specialises in the energy performance of buildings, and CRITT Horticole, an expert in plant-based solutions adapted to the urban climate, EPURE fully embodies the philosophy of this call for projects: to develop collective responses to the challenges of tomorrow.
Solutions for more resilient cities
In the face of rising temperatures caused by climate change, there are a number of challenges: thermal discomfort, water stress, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and impacts on public health. The EPURE project aims to address these challenges by developing a methodology for assessment and decision-making support for those leading urban development projects.
Various solutions will be examined and compared:
– Greening buildings and urban spaces
– Integrating water into the urban environment
– The use of innovative materials
– Adapting land uses and energy systems
– Optimising rainwater management
Combined expertise for a robust methodology
TIPEE contributes its expertise in dynamic thermal modelling of buildings and neighbourhoods, as well as in experimental protocols for evaluating innovative solutions. CRITT Horticole, for its part, focuses on aspects relating to fine-scale greening, incorporating criteria linked to plant survival in urban environments – a factor that is often overlooked but is crucial to the long-term viability of green spaces.
A diverse and committed consortium, reflecting regional challenges
In addition to the recognised key players that make up the consortium (Soprema, SMAC, UNIKALO, SPIE Batignolles and Vegetek) and the two technical centres leading the project (TIPEE and CRITT Horticole), EPURE draws on a wider ecosystem, mobilised around the challenges of urban resilience. Several specialist organisations are involved as subcontractors, such as A2i Infra, Alterlab, Altopictus, Atmosphère, the Coopérative Carbone and Landescapes, each contributing specific expertise (infrastructure, biodiversity, air quality, carbon, landscape, etc.). The project also benefits from the active support of the partner cities of Niort, La Rochelle, Rochefort and Agen, which are actively involved in planning and experimentation at a local level. This diversity of stakeholders reflects the complexity of contemporary urban challenges… and the shared determination to tackle them collectively.
A productive launch day
The meeting on 2nd April provided an opportunity to lay the foundations for the project: sharing objectives, establishing a methodological framework, and identifying initial avenues for collaboration between partners. Fruitful and practical discussions took place regarding everyone’s expectations, in an atmosphere that was both focused and collaborative. The partners were also able to visit the TIPEE facilities, a centre for innovation dedicated to improving the environmental performance of buildings.
Next steps
The EPURE project will be a long-term initiative, comprising successive phases of methodological development, testing at pilot sites, and the creation of digital tools for local authorities, planners and project managers. A key objective is to provide the tools needed for local climate action to ensure our towns and cities can adapt sustainably to new climate challenges.
Photo : Plateforme TIPEE