The research work « Under the Concrete, the Steppe? », directed by Thierry Dutoit, a researcher at the CNRS within UMR IMBE, has been recognized with the 2026 National Ecological Engineering Prize. It received a special distinction in the 'Special Jury Prize' category.
This scientific initiative, the result of close collaboration with researchers from INRAE, the universities of Avignon and Rouen, as well as the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, is lauded for the quality of its contributions to the field of ecological engineering.
Since 2014, the National Ecological Engineering Prize, organized by the Association fédérative des acteurs de l’Ingénierie et du Génie Écologiques (A-IGÉco) and the Office français de la biodiversité (OFB), has highlighted innovative projects. This year, in partnership with the Directorate for Water and Biodiversity of the ministry responsible for ecological transition, and with the support of the French Association for Soil Science (AFES), a special prize dedicated to 'Ecological Soil Engineering' was awarded.
A total of ten winning projects will be honored at a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, November 25, 2026. The event will take place from 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM at the Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering Exhibition, which is part of the Mayors' Exhibition, at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, in the conference area 'La Serre'.
