In 2019, environment became the French people’s leading concern. Over the past few months, the appeals and initiatives heard in succession have considerably raised awareness in the population and economic players. While the IPCC reports continue to confirm, year after year, the diagnosis laid out by scientists, broad swathes of society are now taking up the issue.
The first are the students: with their “Manifesto for an Ecological Awakening“, they are determined to influence businesses’ strategies. Secondly, the citizens: as they take to the streets in demonstrations in all regions of the world, France has inaugurated the Citizen Convention for the Climate, an original exercise to chart the course for an ecological transition that takes social issues into account. Political leaders, too, have taken measures, through such initiatives as the Climate Plan for the European Union, which must support the Member States in implementing their policies. Last but not least, companies, through their voluntary commitments, are taking the road to carbon neutrality by 2050, and are calling attention to the risks in the event of inaction.
Because it concerns systemic issues and an inescapable, irresistible transition – if we are to continue enjoying the same standard of living – this dynamic is an integral part of the decade now opening. It will see companies take on a fundamental role, as they will be asked to shape, build and implement solutions for territories, cities and inhabitants.
It is thus only natural that the challenge of the ecological transition has become a structuring component for all of Leonard’s activities.
Through our ability to keep watch and call attention to what matters, we give a voice to those who think and make the future of cities and infrastructures; through our foresight activities, we bring perspectives into alignment and etch out enthusing futures; through our innovative programmes, we support entrepreneurs and innovators, to build together the solutions for which the situation calls.
This yearbook is a retrospective exercise; it offers a glimpse of our achievements over the past months – intrapreneurial projects, start-up programmes, experiments or prospective explorations, to list only a few – as well as the transformations underway in the businesses and markets of cities and infrastructures (innovations, new uses and new expectations). It gives a feel for the dynamic in the Leonard community and the abundance of projects it is building. And more than anything else, this yearbook has an aim for the period ahead: to call upon the players of our future cities and infrastructures, inviting them to contribute to the demanding but thrilling adventure which Leonard has set in motion.
Contents of our year book 2019
1. Realisations
- The intrapreneurs fast track: looking to make an impact
- Start-up and scale-up, something for everyone
- Artificial intelligence finds its way into jobs with the AI program
- “The future of mobilities dwells on the infrastructure”
- New Deal: putting express lanes to work for the mobilities of the future
- Building Beyond #2: an inspiring journey across the scales of cities and territories
2. Transformations
- The words that will have us talking tomorrow
- The environment, inviting itself into every equation
- Mutant cities: assemblies and infrastructures adapt
- Work 3.0: the great metamorphosis of locations and links
- When the future makes use of traditional materials
- Open data and AI: the nervous system of smart cities is taking shape
- Construction Tech: machines, invaluable accomplices on construction sites
3. Predictions
