The UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure & Cities (UKCRIC) has been established with an investment of US$165m from the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council. Government support for UKCRIC was first announced in the 2015 Budget.
UKCRIC is seen as central to the UK’s infrastructure and cities research agenda but its collaborative aims and objectives are also intended to have international reach. Goals include reaching an increased understandign of how to make infrastructure more resilient to extreme events and more adaptable to changing circumstances, while providing services that are more affordable, accessible and usable for the whole population.
The formal launch of UKCRIC took place this week at the International Symposium for Next Generation Infrastructure 2017, held at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London.
Professor Brian Collins is professor of engineering policy at University College London and convenor of the initial UKCRIC partners, who represent university-based infrastructure, civil and construction engineering research groups. He said: “Understanding how to invest in, build, operate and maintain resilient and adaptable high-quality infrastructure based services, such as good public health, safe mobility, heating, lighting and sustainable economic activity, is vital to the wellbeing of citizens in the UK and across the world.
“UKCRIC will provide the science, engineering and research base for delivering that understanding in a low-carbon context in UK industry and government, and for international partners.”
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s chief executive, said: “The launch of the UKCRIC is an important step in the UK’s approach to infrastructure planning, construction and use. Research is vital to ensuring we develop and adopt systems that will be resilient and adaptable to change, and will make the UK a fully connected nation.”
