ENSA Marseille Drives International Collaboration with Nearly €2 Million in New Grants – Breaking News for Architecture & Urbanism
Marseille, France – In a significant boost for international architectural education and research, ENSA Marseille (École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Marseille) has announced the receipt of nearly €2 million in funding from prestigious programs including Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020. This influx of support will fuel collaborative projects spanning Africa and Europe, tackling critical challenges in architecture, urban planning, and capacity building. This is breaking news for anyone following the evolution of architectural education and its impact on global development, and a strong signal for SEO focused on international architecture initiatives.
Empowering African Architecture: The AAF Project
The largest grant, totaling €980,000, is allocated to the “AAF – Africa Architecture Training” project (2023-2026). Coordinated by the Free University of Brussels (ULB), AAF aims to strengthen architectural education and practice in Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. ENSA Marseille will play a pivotal role, with faculty members Gianluca Cadoni, Delphine Monrozies, and Matthieu Duperreix leading the institution’s contributions. The project involves partnerships with EAMAU and IRES-RDEC in Togo, and ISAU, UNILU, and UK in the DRC, alongside the National Orders of Architects of both countries. This isn’t just about building structures; it’s about building capacity – fostering a new generation of African architects equipped to address the unique challenges and opportunities of their rapidly evolving urban landscapes. The project’s focus on capacity building is a key trend in international development, reflecting a shift towards sustainable, locally-led solutions.
Melimed: Bridging Mediterranean Expertise in Architecture
ENSA Marseille is also at the helm of the “Melimed” series of projects. “Melimed 2” (2023-2025), with a budget of €120,000, continues the work begun by “Melimed 1” (2020-2023, €430,000). Both projects, coordinated by Laurent Hodebert at ENSA Marseille, foster cooperation between institutions including IUAV (Venice), ULB (Brussels), ENA (Rabat), AVITEM, and Klima. Melimed focuses on shared learning and innovation within the Mediterranean region, addressing common architectural and urban challenges. You can explore the project details further at https://www.melimed.eu/. These projects highlight the importance of cross-cultural exchange in architectural design, recognizing that solutions are often best developed through collaborative efforts.
Capa.City: Smart & Robust Urban Ecosystems
Looking back to earlier successes, the “Capa.City” project (2017-2019), funded by Horizon 2020 and JPI Urban Europe, demonstrates ENSA Marseille’s long-standing commitment to innovative urbanism. Coordinated by Hasselt University, Capa.City aimed to transform existing residential areas into “smart and robust urban ecosystems,” with ENSA Marseille contributing alongside partners like Roskilde University, OpenStructures, GivRum, and Lab InVivo. The project’s focus on adapting existing infrastructure – rather than solely focusing on new construction – is increasingly relevant in a world grappling with resource constraints and the need for sustainable development. More information can be found at http://www.capa-city-ensuf.eu/.
These grants underscore ENSA Marseille’s position as a leading institution in international architectural education and research. The projects represent a significant investment in the future of architecture, not just in France, but across Africa and the Mediterranean region. For those interested in the latest developments in architectural education, urban planning, and international collaboration, ENSA Marseille is undoubtedly a school to watch. Keep checking back with Archyde for more Google News updates and in-depth analysis of the architectural world.
