The future of infrastructure: innovation dialogue at the French Embassy
Munich, 26 February 2024
The French Ambassador François Delattre and Dominic Kurtaz, Managing Director Eurocentral of Dassault Systèmes, hosted the Franco-German Innovation Dialogue at the French Embassy in Berlin on February 21, 2024. Experts from science, business and politics, including acatech President Jan Wörner, discussed the topic of “Infrastructure of the future”.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador François Delattre emphasized that the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement can only be achieved through joint efforts and within a European framework. He sees cross-sectoral action, future-oriented infrastructures and the use of new technologies as both an ecological necessity and an opportunity. Dominic Kurtaz also emphasized that the implementation of sustainable infrastructure in Europe requires courageous innovators and a skilled workforce.
acatech President Jan Wörner gave an overview of the challenges and necessary measures for the infrastructure of the future in the core areas of construction and transportation. He defined the constantly increasing primary energy consumption as a key challenge. Jan Wörner also described how trends in urbanization, digitalization, demographics and mobility represent further challenges for the future of infrastructure. In his view, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to these challenges. Furthermore, he pointed out that the construction and housing sector must be sustainable, affordable and of high quality. Not only in this context, but in general, it is important to bring together science, business, politics and society and to pursue innovative paths that are designed to be resilient through diversification and interdisciplinarity.
Other experts, such as Oliver Ribet, Executive Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Dassault Systèmes, and Marc Willich, Head of Digitalization and Technology, DB Engineering & Consulting, described virtual twins as a useful tool for optimizing infrastructure projects on the one hand and as a way to involve society on the other. Michael Theurer, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV), highlighted the challenges in the areas of rail infrastructure and transport in a European context.
Katharina Hölzle, acatech member and Director of the Fraunhofer IAO / IAT University of Stuttgart, then summarized the most important results of the evening: The future of infrastructure would only succeed through the interaction of science, business, politics and society. Digital twins, qualified specialists and innovation ecosystems are key drivers in the process.
The French ambassador and Jan Wörner also exchanged views on topics of mutual interest in a bilateral discussion. For example, the acatech President reported on the cooperation between acatech and the French Academy of Science and Engineering, which will result in a joint statement on energy this year.