THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN BUILDING,
URBANISM AND SUSTAINABLE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT – URBAN-INCERC.
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS
3.1. Scientific SWOT analysis.
The institute that resulted after merging and the newly defined and broader field of NIRD URBANINCERC was aimed at being more comprehensive, covering and integrating the sustainable development
for the built environment at the scale of a city, county, region or country, Romania, or even of a group of
countries in EU. It is not an industrial type research, dominated by search for new types of materials,
devices and objects.
The research in the fields covered by NIRD URBAN-INCERC has a specific which is determined by
some factors that make the diference when one has to implement the new requirements and strategies of
European Union:
- the specific of constructions as a built object, as they differ of construction materials and products
and the need to ensure the proper circulation and safe application of European materials in
buildings;
- the need to cope with the local environment dominated by a strong seismicity on more that half of
Romania and a temperate continentat climate with specific patterns, that impose locally developed
solutions, and the need to work for territorial and urban development under new EU requirements
in all regions of Romania, to implement local and EU results and reduce gaps;
- as URBAN-INCERC is coordinated by MDRT, there is a specific role in its involvement in
supplying to MDRT and to other central institutions or local public administration with research,
regulations, strategic studies and analyses.
It is a challenge, fully taken as a „mission impossible” by the management team and the researchers, in a
period of crisis and recession. The past performance of institutes was very appreciated by the ministry in
charge with construction and spatial development field, MDRT-Ministry of Regional Development and
Tourism, as well as by the Ministry of Education, Research and Youth, and the construction industry and
local authorities along decades. A considerable and unique experience was accumulated and most of the
regulations, studies and developments in their field were authored by researchers in these institutes or
centers. The opening towards Europe and World along of last 20 years added new ideas to our values. The
crisis impact in the period after 2008, with all budgetary, market and investments constraints, caused a
reduction of financial resources.
CONSTRUCTIONS – Institutional Development Plan for Branches with main fields in construction
research
Considering the specific of constructions research, the quality of the results of the research activity in
URBAN-INCERC is reflected by:
- a considerable number of large research projects in the period 2007-2011, in the MECTS—ANCS
competitions and a large number of pre-normative research and regulations elaborated for MDRT;
- a large number of technical agrements – 1.188 AT in 2007-2011, in application of European
Directive 89/106 and of REGULATION (EU) No 305/2011 OF THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions
for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC, Official
Journal of the European Union., 4.4.2011. The Technical Agrements/Approvals represent a very
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important way of introducing European products on the local market and it requires a specific
capability of evaluation, testing and research;
a number of 9 patents, a number of 11 articles in ISI journals, 61 authored books and chapters
within collective volumes and 523 relevant publications, numerous seminars for dissemination.
The SWOT analysis must take into account these realities and set adequate means to cope with
challenges. According to the structure of URBAN-INCERC domains, the SWOT analysis will be made
on specific fields, according to the Research and Development Strategy of NRDI URBAN-INCERC
drafted in 2010 and revised in 2011.
Strong points
Weak points
Opportunities
Threats
1. Existing labs with
RENAR accreditation
and
/
or
ISC
authorization, with new
equipments,
covering
almost all fields of
constructions
science
and the 60 years
prestige of INCERC
Brand and teritorial
branches of Iasi, Cluj
and
Timisoara.
Branches do know their
region around and have
steady
relationships
with producers and
construction companies.
2
Existing
senior
researchers with high
experience, able to
perform
research,
testing, agrementing etc.
The
capacity
and
possibility to have a
research carrier for
construction field and
interdisciplinary
applications
in
an
institute
of
unique
domain
3. Experience gained in
ANCS
Research
Projects
won
by
competition since 2007,
to be used in next
competitions.
Many
proposals
already
submitted
in
2011
ANCS call Partnerships.
1. Old equipments in
some testing halls.
Stagnation or closing of
some
research
and
testing domains.
1. The need and
capacity to get financing
for URBAN-INCERC
from MDRT
for
providing
strategies,
public policies and
technical solutions for
key fields.
Integration and use of
JICA donation taken
over
by
NCSRR
merging
1. Lack of research
funding caused by crisis
and
reduced
investments; lack of
own funds for research,
acquisition
of
new
equipments for large
scale testing
2 Retiring of some
valuable researchers and
lack of young staff.
Reduced number of PhD
in some labs.
Less publicity was done
in universities before
2007 as to attract young
graduates.
2
Using
senior
researchers as tutors for
freshmen in research.
Attracting
new
generations of civil
engineers coming as
student
trainees
in
institute
under
a
dedicated
recruiting
policy since 2007 and
support for making a
PhD thesis and research
capability
3.
Finding
niche
domains
and
partnerships
for
interdisciplinary
projects,
partnership
with universities to
create
centers
of
excellence around our
branches.
Providing
2 Retirement of senoir
researchers.
Reduced
salaries when funding is
uncertain
or
in
comparison with other
industries.
Economic
recovery after crisis may
attract young engineers
in other fields, with
higher
salaries,
including
brain-drain
abroad
3. Nucleus program
funding was reduced in
2011. Limited number
of entries in recent
competitions, due to
restrictive
standards
based only on ISI and
patents
3. Lack of specific
criteria to meet the
specific of construction
research
in
ANCS
competitions
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4. Regulation stock is
mainly covered by
INCERC and barnches
for
many
fileds.
Existance of a data base
with research results
that
may
interest
MDRT,
construction
companies
and
universities
5. A potential capacity
and results to create a
number of patents and
provide implementation
with financial benefit
4. In some fields results
are
not
enough
disseminated to all
potential clients. Our
results
does
not
influence enough public
policies as to provide
progress. MDRT has not
yet
launched
competitions for prenormative research and
regulations in 2011.
5. Research results are
not formatted as to
became patents. Very
reduced number of
patents recorded for
granting
6. Good contacts with
many companies that
agremented and tested
their
products
and
materials in our labs
6. Lack of larger topics
projects,
less
information
on
construction
industry
needs
7. Scientific knowledge
and ability to answer to
EU
Directives
on
Building
Materials,
Energy
Performance
and Security and to
aplly to local conditions
7. Lack of experience
for
large
and
interdisciplinary
projects.
Use
of
structural
funds,
partnership
in
UE
Programs and FP 7
Projects was reduced to
date, lack of staff able to
write successful projects
8. Difficulties in geting
financing
for
maintenance
and
extending the labs and
national strong motion
network that is a must
for national codes
8. Existing Laboratory
of
Seismic
Risk
Assessment and The
Strong Motion Network
for
Constructions,
knowledge and data
base on local seismic
conditions
that
are
different
of
other
countries
coniuous education for
constructors.
4. Proposals to MDRT
Sectorial Plan is an
asset. Publications in
own
journal,
organization
and
participation in fairs,
seminars and promotion
events.
4. Lack of investment
risk funds due to crisis
impact.
Time
spent
in
paperworks instead of
research activities
5.
Increasing
experimental research
oriented
towards
patenting,
attending
courses for invention
procedures, spin-off and
start-up implementation.
The
need
of
retehnologization
of
large-scale
infrastructure.
6. The need to meet EU
requirements
and
national
regulations,
increasing marketing in
all regions where our
branches exist
7. Using new EU
Strategy and Horizon
2020 Program, 20142020 and recruiting new
staff for development of
new research projects to
attract funds
5. Money and long time
required
to
obtain
patents, especially EU
patents
8. The EU Security
Strategy requirements
that requires mapping of
risks and evaluation
based on multi-hazard
scenarios and MDRT is
a public partner in
charge. There is a need
to
make
european
solutions valid under
8. Lack of capacity to
survey damage and
gather data after next
big
earthquake.
A
disaster may happen
before evaluation and
risk
mapping
for
intervention could be
done.
6 Unfair competition of
small
laboratories
working on dumping
prices without technical
care
7. Lack of funds for
overhead costs and for
financing before money
are paid
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9.
Membership
of
ENBRI,
UEATc,
EOTA, WFTAO, etc
ensures
a
prestige
among competitors.
10. Participation and
publications
in
Romanian, EU and
especially
in
the
Proceedings
of
European and World
Conferences
of
Earthquake Engineering
since decades, writing
many books, as well as
many
seminars
of
dissemination
9. Some information
about new approcahes
and technologies is
missing. The contacts
with other institutes of
research that are similar
to
URBAN-INCERC
Branches are not so
frequent.
10. ISI papers are not
numerous but we have
others. But ANCS does
not recognize other
papers and books as
scientific results, if they
are not in ISI system,
although
they
are
valuable
for
construction field. Thus,
researchers may be
discouraged to publish
or to attend, because
ANCS does not count
them for evaluations.
local seismic conditions.
9. Increasing attendance 9. Lack of funds for
to ENBRI meetings and international
visits to R-D institutes cooperation
of Europe and World
10.
Successive
publication in national
journals,
proceedings
and ISI cited journals,
training researchers to
write papers is highly
cited
journals,
increasing number of
dissemination and new
forms of visibility.
Access to scientific
publications
by
INCERC Library and
ANCS
ANELISE
System.
10. Losing the contact
with important audience
in national
and
international
conferences.
Lack of visibility in a
very important group of
earthquake
advanced
countries.
3.2. Strategic scientific objectives and directions for CONSTRUCTIONS
The current institutional development plan with respect to constructions is based on the Research and
Development Strategy of NRDI URBAN-INCERC drafted in 2010 and revised in 2011, in connection
with the concept of sustainable development and strategic programs MDRT and MECTS-ANCS. Through
the proposed strategy is intended that the research - development carried out in N.I.R.D. URBANINCERC to be characterized by:
- Technical and scientific performance in specific areas
- Background and forecast capacity, operational and competent response to the requirements of the
construction field
- Integration as an active partner in strategic programs MDRT and MECTS-ANCS
- Increased dissemination of research results
- An adequate ratio between fundamental research, application, testing for others, certification,
approval and development of regulations
- Competitiveness and visibility at national, European and international scale
Synthesis of objectives on short-term, mid-term and long-term according to the Research and
Development Strategy of NRDI URBAN-INCERC drafted in 2010 and revised in 2011
Short term
Medium term
Long term
(up to 1-3 years)
3-5 years
5-10 years
1. Providing, by competition, the
human resource for the laboratories
with higher average age or being
under critical mass, in the present
1. Development of the institutional 1.
Institutional
capacity – human resources in development – human
research activities in civil engineering resources. Formation of a
as to possibly reach a ratio of 1.2 to new
generation
of
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Synthesis of objectives on short-term, mid-term and long-term according to the Research and
Development Strategy of NRDI URBAN-INCERC drafted in 2010 and revised in 2011
Short term
Medium term
Long term
(up to 1-3 years)
3-5 years
5-10 years
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
organization chart, by attractive
1.of R-D vs. other staff
researchers, consequent to
salaries and the efficient use of
the
stabilized
existing personnel.
2. Stimulating the employment by organizational structure of
Identification of sustainable funding competition of Master graduates and NRDI URBAN-INCERC
resources and structuring of
of their application for doctoral and with specializations,
prospective budgets.
programs in all laboratories in which qualifications
and
Establishing protocols of
the average age of the employees is composition aligned to the
collaboration with local universities, above the mean, according to EU requirements.
Inspectorate of Constructions and
necessities.
Chambers of Commerce for mutual
2.
Institutional
support, search of funding and
3. Preparation of the candidates that development - equipment
dissemination
qualify for attestation as Scientific re-technologization,
Analysis of the structure of direct and Researchers IIIrd, IInd and Ist degree, stabilization
of
the
indirect costs in the new
according to the criteria of the structure of equipment and
organizational and functional
National Authority of Scientific research infrastructure, by
structure and proposal of
Research, in the conditions stipulated the replacing, reduction or
reduction/optimization measures.
by the Romanian laws.
closing down of some
Equalization of the endowment with
activities; the uniqueness
common use hardware and software 2. Development of the institutional of some laboratories in the
for the laboratories of the institute
capacity – equipment – necessities and field will be considered.
Using jointly the testing equipments priorities of re-technologization of
of State Inspectorate for
large infrastructures
3. Significantly increasing
Constructions based on a Protocol
the role and the impact of
Improving the efficiency of the
3. Increasing the contribution of NRDI the
research
and
scientific verification of research
URBAN-INCERC in the development development activities in
reports in the Scientific Council.
of public policies of MDRT for the NRDI URBAN-INCERC
Increasing visibility of our research construction sector.
on economy sectors, aimed
results for ANCS, MDRT, EU
to
sustainable
partners and local construction
4. Increasing the visibility of the development.
industry, for key fileds
research and of NRDI URBANEnsuring the publication, the required INCERC in the field of civil 4.
Improvement
and
scientific quality and the CNCSIS
engineering in Romania and in the diversification
of
the
and ISI (Thomson Web of Science) EU, for strategic fields of expertise, as implementation of research
classification of the journals and
seismic risk and thermal rehabilitation results, by acquiring coreviews issued by NRDI URBANfunding and public-private
INCERC, updating of websites,
5. Increasing the capacity of partnerships with local
including the English versions.
integration in the EU and in the authorities,
construction
Support for the participation of
international research community contractors and SMEs, for
specialists in scientific meetings and applying strategic measures.
seismic
and
thermal
for the publication in scientific
rehabilitation
and
journals indexed by the Thomson
6. Getting closer to FP 7 criteria in reduction of gas emissions.
Web of Science (ISI). Introduction in scientific and financial terms, making
the employment fiche of the
FP 7 Projects
5. Creating a Park of
requirement to periodically publish in
ecological,
energy
the journals and reviews issued by
7. Ensuring UE standards for research performant and earthquake
NRDI URBAN-INCERC and to
resistant
buildings
in
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Synthesis of objectives on short-term, mid-term and long-term according to the Research and
Development Strategy of NRDI URBAN-INCERC drafted in 2010 and revised in 2011
Short term
Medium term
Long term
(up to 1-3 years)
3-5 years
5-10 years
participate in scientific meetings.
10. Ensuring the permanence of a
prestigious scientific conference.
11. Revision of the membership of the
specialists from NRDI URBANINCERC in the Technical Specialty
Committees of MDRT
12. Renewal of contacts with European
and international organizations in the
field
8. Working for achieving goals of INCERC Branch area.
2020 EU Strategy and have EU funds
for research.
4. Increasing the capacity
of international integration
9. Analysis of possible and necessary of
NRDI
URBANmodifications to the organization chart INCERC, with particular
of NRDI URBAN-INCERC, for the focus on the European
alignment to the EU requirements
Research
Area,
development of multiple
forms of participation in
EU research programs
Specific strategic projects of URBAN-INCERC in line with The EUROPE 2020 Strategy
In the context of the European strategy for the year 2020, URBAN-INCERC will pursue the ability to
attract funds from private or international sources, including from the research programs of the EU. In this
respect, the Research Strategy of URBAN-INCERC is correlated with:
- The Romanian Law on Research activity, OG No. 57/2001, revised in 2011 and The Romanian Plan
for R-D and Innovation of MECTS-ANCS;
- The EUROPE 2020 Strategy, The European Research Area Vision 2020, the Horizon 2020 Program
- REGULATION (EU) No 305/2011 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and
repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC, Official Journal of the European Union., 4.4.2011
The EUROPE 2020is the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade and goals boost recovery to put the
EU on a path towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth by 2020. Concretely, the Union has set five
ambitious objectives - on employment, innovation, education, social inclusion and climate/energy - to be
reached by 2020. Concrete actions at EU and national levels underpin the strategy. National Reform
Programmes must implement Europe 2020 at national level.
HEADLINE TARGETS on climate/energy targets at EU LEVEL are “20/20/20”, while for Romania are
19% CO2 emission reduction targets; 24% renewable energy; 10 Mtoe of energy consumption reduction
and in this field, URBAN-INCERC has a wide expertise.
For MDRT, the Territorial Pact is in this respect an instrument to ensure the teritorial dimension of EU
2020 Strategy in 2014-2020, with an Territorial Atlas – Romania 2020. There are many issues that are
actually in the capacity of URBAN-INCERC to participate in these activities and get funding as well as in
the next joint strategic framework for research and innovation, "Horizon 2020", launched in December
2011. It seems that the Commission hopes to draw up a list of all the potential centres of excellence in
low-result regions so as to allocate European structural fund resources to them to bring the infrastructure
and equipment up to standard.
The objectives of the own Strategy will be considered in the URBAN-INCERC research and development
plan of each year, to be secured with funds and possibly achieved, based on legal framework. As specific
candidates for next years investments, one may take into account:
- rehabilitation of laboratories and office buildings in Bucharest branches;
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design and building of Center for zonal research on marine corrosion using our Constanta Polygon of
corrosion exposure;
using land and premises of INCERC Bucharest Branch for a Park of of ecological, energy performant
and earthquake resistant buildings;
making operational the multipurpose center for exhibitions and conference in INCERC Bucharest
Branch;
retechnologisation of large scale seismic testing labs in Bucharest and Iasi; conversion of unused halls
for spin-off and start-up activities, when and where the feasibility studies will prove that they are
beneficial; creating a nearly-zero-energy building in the former solar experimental house of Campina;
URBAN-INCERC will participate in the EU strategies within its implication as MECTS – ANCS and
MDRT national institute, on specific topics. It is worth to mention that the strategy of URBAN-INCERC
includes the increase of contributions of any kind, as a result of own expertise and as a first partner.
Some projects are already submitted:
- The project Build Up Skills Romania: Qualification platform and roadmap for the building workforce
on energy-efficiency and renewable energy to meet 2020 Targets (ROBUST), under the Building
Workforce Initiative of the Intelligent Energy Europe Program of the European Union, supporting
also the implementation of Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from
renewable sources and (RESD). The Division of Energy and Environmental Performances of
Sustainable Buildings (SPEMCD), SPEMCD, coordinator; dr. Horia Petran;
- Project submitted to competition 2011 (deadline 2 december) FP 7 UE "Energy, Cost and Comfort
Optimisation" - ECCO, coordinator University EKUT (Tuebingen). The Division of Energy and
Environmental Performances of Sustainable Buildings (SPEMCD), SPEMCD, partner; dr. Horia
Petran
Projects submitted to the MECTS-ANCS Partnerships Program - Competition 2011
- Local Indoor Environement Qality – Innovative Estimator for Building Design and Operation”,
partner, coordinator UTCB-Technical University of Civil Engineering, Bucharest; Dr. Eng. Horia
Petran
- Bridging the Gap between Seismology and Earthquake Engineering: From the seismicity of Romania
toward a refined implementation of Seismic action of EN 1998-1 in earthquake resistant desisn of
buildinss (BIGSEES); Coordinator NIEP – INCDDFP, partner 2: INCD URBAN-INCERC, Dr. Math.
I.S. Borcia;
- The Romanian Educational Seismic Network - ROEDUSEIS-Net; coordinator NIEP-INCDFP,
partner 2 : INCD URBAN-INCERC, Dr. Eng. E.-S. Georgescu - URBAN –INCERC.
- Engineering decision support system for the seismic design of reinforced concrete structures
according to Romanian and European norms. (SYNAPSIS). Coordinator SC ITC Institutul pentru
Tehnica de Calcul SA, Partner 2 INCD URBAN-INCERC, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. I.G. Craifaleanu;
- Urban blocks in central protected area in multiple hazard approach - assesment, mapping and
strategies for risk mitigation. Case study: Bucharest destructured zone by razing occuring in
communist period. URBASRISK. Coordinator: UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND
URBANISM ION MINCU BUCHAREST, partner 1 INCD URBAN-INCERC, Dr. Eng. E.-S.
Georgescu;
- A new Romanian Methodology for Assesment and Monitoring of Existing Thermo Power Plant
Structures for the Peculiar Seismic Action in Romania Coordinator (CO):– ISPE Bucureşti S.A.;
Partner 1: UTCB - RNCEEV);Partner 2: URBAN-INCERC, (INCERC Bucureşti).
„Innovative solutions based on new materials and technologies for heritage constructions
sustainability „Coordinator Univ. Tehnica Iasi - Director of Project Prof. Dr. Ing. Nicolae Taranu,
INCD URBAN INCERC - Partner C.S. II Dr. Eng. Livia Miron;
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“ Optimal solutions for external wall and floor systems applied to new and existing buildings
OPTISOL W&F” . Coordinator Univ. Politehnica Timisoara - Director Proiect Prof. Dr. Eng. Dan
DUBINA, Partner INCD URBAN INCERC C.S. II Dr. Eng. Constantin Miron; UTCB Prof. Dr.
Eng. Dan Cretu.
“Advanced techniques for saving energy in heat exchangers, by the means of nanofluids and thermal
design”, Coordinator Univ. Tehnica Iasi - Director Proiect Prof. Dr. Eng. Minea I, Partner INCD
URBAN INCERC -C.S. III Dr. Fiz. Monica Chereches;
“ ECO-SOLUTIONS STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF BUILDINGS,
USING RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES AND NATURAL MATERIALS WITH
ENVIRONMENTAL DEPOLLUTION PROPERTIES “, Coordinator Univ. Tehnica Iasi – Project
Director Prof. Dr. Ing. Dorina Isopescu, INCD URBAN INCERC - C.S. II Dr. Eng. Constantin
Miron, SC MOPATEL PROIECT SRL - Project Director Eng. Petrache Teleman,
“ New polyurethane materials in the conservation and rehabilitation of the facades of istorical
buildings without change architectural façade elements”, 1. Institutul de Chimie Macromoleculara P.
Poni Iasi – Project Director Dr. Eng. Stefan Oprea, INCD URBAN INCERC - Project Director C.S.
II Dr. Eng. A. C. Diaconu, Iasi Branch.
Project of Coperation Romania- Belgium / Wallonia, „Developing a system of integrated
construction, eco-sustainable and based on low technologies conumption, using natural materials
(lime and wastes from wood processing), having de-poluting properties (by capture of carbon oxydes)
in the environment” Project submited at MECMA 2011. INCD URBAN INCERC - C.S. II Dr. Eng.
Constantin Miron,
Project - NR. 893 PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1303 Dinu Florea Universitatea Politehnica din
Timisoara, Structural conception and COllapse control performance based DEsign of multistory
structures under accidental actions. Cluj Branch is a partner.
Project -Nr. 1002 PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1464 Chiorean Cosmin Technical University of ClujNapoca An Innovative Sustainable Approach to Increase the Seismic Performance of Large Lightly
Reinforced Concrete Walls. Cluj Branch is a partner
Project Nr. 1034 PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1504 Simina Dreve National Institute for Research and
Development of Isotopic and molecular Technology Heavy concrete and vitreous materials as shield
in radioprotection. Cluj Branch is a partner
URBAN PLANNING AND SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT
URBANPROIECT Branch - Institutional development plan
Background
The current institutional development plan with respect to urban and spatial planning research is based on
assessments performed at several turn points (resulting into the elaboration of two research strategies, one
in 2010 – 28 May, and another in 2011 – 9 July) and originates in the following considerations:
1. The specific position of urban and spatial planning and of NR&DI URBAN-INCERC in this context
2. The results of institutional reorganization during the last two years
3. The new orientations originating from the National Research Authority.
1. Urban and spatial planning, as a subject or discipline, has a different status from fundamental sciences,
such as physics or biology. First of all, the definitions of urbanism do not point to a science only, but also
to an art, regulation and legal system, and activity. Even though different authors invented particular
names for each side of urbanism, in reality all these sides coexist and cannot be separated. For this
purpose, a researcher cannot do urbanism on his own, but needs to be part of the legal framework, must
have managerial skills and put together information from other disciplines. Also, the final product of
activity is a plan that can be opposed in front of a court, and not a paper accepted or not by the human
community. Such products are geared toward local and central administration and have a practical value,
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unlike scientific products, meant to the scientific community and provided with a theoretical or
methodological value.
This situation results in a considerable gap among urban and spatial planning and fundamental sciences
when all are assessed using uniform criteria, applicable mostly to fundamental science. For instance, if we
take into account the older classification of journals used by the National Higher Education Council,
based on their potential to achieve international recognition (such as indexation by Thompson Reuters ISI), with D being the lowest and A the highest (and C, B and B+ intermediary classes), the best journal
on this subject, edited by Babes Bolyiai University in Cluj Napoca, was ranked C. This situation resulted
into an additional pressure on urban and spatial planning researchers. For example, a physicist could
easily have published in a Romanian journal ranked A, and the process could have been facilitated by his
name being known to the editors, whilst an urban or spatial planning researcher could only publish
abroad, and in this context his efforts would not be commensurate with someone publishing in Romania.
From the same perspective, the urban and spatial planning activity of NR&DI URBAN-INCERC in urban and
spatial planning is coordinated by the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism, and meant to support
supra-national, national, regional and local development by adding a spatial dimension to socio-economic
development, while accounting for the principles of environmental sustainability and utilizing the local cultural
heritage as a growth factor. For this reason, the initial research strategy, elaborated in 2010, was directed first to
meeting the spatial development objectives of the Government Program, the Reform Program and the
objectives of the General Division for Territorial Development of the coordinating ministry. In their turn, these
policies are part of the Romanian contribution to achieving the goals established by Europe 2020 Strategy. To
exemplify, NR&DI URBAN-INCERC worked over the substantiation study for the Romanian Strategic
Concept of Territorial Development, part of Chapter VII – Territorial Development of the National Reform
Program 2011-2013. Moreover, some of the objectives in Chapter 6.2, Research – Development – Innovation
were tackled by the territorial research projects developed under the framework of the National Program of
Research, Development and Innovation II (such as GISTEREG – OpenGIS system informational for
monitoring the impact of spatial planning policies, VALOT – GIS model for the valorization of hardly
accessible alpine areas with complex potentials for tourism, in order to include them in tours. Development of
the valleys of Lotru and Oltet, PATRIMON – Integrated Geospatial System for the Localization and
Protection of Archeological Sites. Pilot Project: Tulcea County and PATRIVAL – Valorization and
management of the built heritage in an intercultural context, and by two projects carried under the framework
of the South East Europe (SEE) Program, DATOURWAY – Transnational Strategy for the Sustainable of the
Danube Area with special regard to Tourism and DONAUREGIONEN+ – The Spatial Development Concept
of Interregional Co-operation in the Danube Space, both addressing the European Union Strategy for the
Danube Region. In addition to them, several other projects were carried out under the framework of the
ESPON Program (ESPON Climate – Climate change and territorial effects on regions and local economies in
Europe), SEE (TICAD – Tisa Catchment Area Development and FATE – From Army To Entrepreneurship)
and INTERREG III B CADSES (Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians in
Transnational Framework – Carpathians Project).
Another particularity of urban and spatial planning is that it requires a multidisciplinary participation of
specialists with different backgrounds; in addition to people with a background in architecture or
urbanism, engineers, sociologists, economists, ecologists and geographers contribute to writing specific
chapters. Their presence as researchers in NR&DI URBAN-INCERC results in adding their individual
contributions, which might be different – books and chapters (as in social sciences), conferences (other
than those indexed by the Australian Research Council) etc. The institutional list of publications and
presentations illustrates this statement, as about 50 people published or presented in conferences in 5 years
nearly 250 contributions (1 book published by international publishers, 17 books published by national
publishers, 4 chapters in books published by national publishers, 6 scientific papers published in journals
with non-zero relative Article Influence Score, 5 scientific papers published in ISI journals with zero or no
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relative Article Influence Score, 58 scientific papers published in journals indexed in relevant
international databases or indexed B+ by CNCSIS, 4 scientific papers published in journals indexed B, C
or D by CNCSIS, 1 scientific paper published in international journals, other than ISI or indexed in
relevant international databases, 23 scientific papers published in conference proceedings or volumes of
abstracts, 18 scientific papers published in national journals with ISSN not indexed by CNCSIS, 5
unpublished research reports, and 102 participations in national and international conferences, not indexed
by the Australian Research Council, with a poster or oral presentation).
2. The institutional reorganization required an assessment of the research activity, with respect to urban and
spatial planning. While acknowledging the fact that the main purpose of activity is to help substantiating the
policies and strategies elaborated by the coordinating ministry, the first research strategy tried to increase the
visibility of research in urban and spatial planning, by starting a new journal and a conference, and attempting
to increase the involvement of urban and spatial planning specialists in research groups and structures in order
to defend the specificity of their activity. In addition, in terms of management the strategy proposed a slow
separation of pure planning activities from research, including the people with a potential for research
(particularly those with good writing skills) in teams involved mainly in research activities sustained by
national and international research projects. At the same time, the strategy provided for an increased quality of
research, based on authoring training, accreditation of specialists by relevant national and international bodies,
and promotion of researchers in their rank.
3. The final milestone is the new orientation of research originated in 2011 from the National Research
Authority. A new strategy was proposed to adapt to the new requirements, particularly after the SWOT
analysis made at the end of 2010, which revealed that the research indicators required by the National
Research Authority were hardly met (after implementing the strategy, the indicators were met at a
satisfactory level). At the same time, some of the objectives proposed by the 2010 were already achieved (a
new journal and conference had already been started); therefore, new targets had to be established. For
example, the strategy proposed to increase the international visibility of the new journal (achieved since it
has recently been indexed by Index Copernicus International Master Journal List) and the visibility of the
conference (also achieved, since its second edition became international). With respect to this issue, it has to
be stressed out that the focus on publishing papers in journals based on the relative score of influence of the
journal is very recent, as of 2011; the previous criteria were focused on publishing papers in journals
indexed by Thompson-Reuters or even in journals indexed in other relevant international databases relevant
to their field.
3.1. SWOT analysis of NR&DI URBAN-INCERC research in urban and spatial planning
S
W
O
T
1. Experience in being part of
1. New and
1. Training for
1. Overload
national and international
continuously
scientific
of staff if
research projects and
shifting criteria of
authorship in
planning and
coordinating national research
assessment and
order to be able
research
projects, connected to the
promotion –
to publish in
activities are
national and international
researchers loose
journals indexed
not separated,
recognition of the institute and
motivation,
by Thompsonparticularly
the existence of good
particularly since
Reuters ISI
under the
relationships with other
the inner
2. Application
new
institutions in Romania and
reorganization did
made for
requirements
abroad, possible project partners
not allow for their
accrediting
where only
2. Carrying out in parallel
promotion
URBANpapers
national and international
2. Issues specific
INCERC Press
published in
projects, allowing for increased
to the discipline –
– can expand the
journals
adaptability and familiarity with
people are more
range of offered
indexed by
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the requirements
3. Presence of young
researcher, older researchers with
a strong profile in their field, and
researchers specialized in areas
connected to planning
(sociology, economy, ecology,
engineering etc.), including those
in the other branches
4. The new journal started in
2010 and the research conference
started in 2011
5. Existence of people attested
as trainers – training activities
are made possible
6. Territorial representation –
urban and spatial planning
activities are carried out by
people who know better their
area and are also better known in
their region
familiar with
planning and lesser
with publishing
papers or
delivering
presentations in
conferences
3. Lack of use of
research results in
phrasing the public
policies
4. Funding issues:
lack of internal
competitions,
while for the
international
projects money
must be advanced
and expenses are
reimbursed after
long periods
services and
reduce costs
3. Involve
young
researchers in
international
projects
4. Participation
in international
teams and
exchanges
5. Professional
training/
continuous
education
6. Alternative
funding sources,
such as the
Ministry of the
Environment
and Forests
ThompsonReuters ISI
are accounted
for assessing
the activity of
the institute
and
promoting
the researchers in rank
2. Reduced
availability of
money could
decrease the
absorption of
international
funds, since
expenses
must be
advanced
first
3.2. Strategic objectives and directions in urban and spatial planning research
Unfortunately, provided the national context and ever-changing goals, criteria and requirements, it is hard
to elaborate a pro-active strategy. Researchers are de-moralized since during the two years of institutional
reorganization they had struggled to accomplish some criteria, and whenever competitions became
possible, criteria were changed. The same is valid for an institute, which might end striving to achieve
some criteria that will change over night. The research plan is focused on several directions; activities are
envisaged for short (6 months), average (2 years) and long term (4 years).
1. ELABORATION OF URBAN AND SPATIAL PLANS
O1-1: Better monitoring of plans carried out in parallel, improved communication (inner and with the
beneficiaries)
Short term activities:
 Elaboration of new rules, including graphs of activities
 Coordination of divisions
 Elaboration of procedures and standard forms to document any approval sessions
Average and long term activities:
 Additional certifications obtained by specialists
 Hiring accredited specialists
 Supporting the certification of young researchers
2. NATIONAL RESEARCH
O2-1: Publication of papers in ISI-indexed journals (experienced researchers)
Short term activities:
 Authorship training
 Creation of paper-writing teams
Average and long term activities:
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 Formation of independent researchers, able to publish on their own
O2-2: Publication of papers in national journals (starting researchers)
Short term activities:
 Authorship training
 Identification of previous results to be published
O2-3: Preparation of research topics for future research competitions
Short term activities:
 Preparation of topics and research teams
O2-4: Formation of researchers able to identify funding sources on their own
Average and long term activities:
 Training on searching for funding
 Stimulation of researchers who find such sources on their own
 Involvement of researchers in research comities and commissions of the national
authorities
O2-5: Promotion of researchers in research ranking
Average term activities:
 Increased frequency of promotion competitions
Long term activities:
 Increased exigency in order to better prepare researchers for the continuously
3. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
O3-1: Formation of international research teams
Short term activities:
 Formation of an International Research Coordination Unit at the level of the institute
 Structuring project teams: administrative, financial and scientific coordinators
Average term activities:
 Stimulation of researchers identifying international funding on their own
Long term activities:
 Formation of an international project management team, in order to assume the role of
Lead Partner
4. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL VISIBILITY
O4-1: Increasing the ranking of the new journal
Short term activities:
 Increased share of papers published in English
 Citation of more international papers in the articles published
 Creation of an extended editorial team
Average term activities:
 Increased number of papers, to make a better selection
 Marketing of the journal
Long term activities:
 Attraction of international authors
O4-2: Increasing the level of the conference
Short term activities:
 Identification of previous results to be presented, especially from national and
international research projects
Average term activities:
 Increased participation from inside and outside, to make a better selection
 Communication training
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Long term activities:
 Attraction of international authors
 increasing demands for the higher ranks
O4-3: Improvement of the Website
Short and average term activities:
 Better design and format
Long term activities:
 English version
3.3. The human resource strategy.
The quality of the human resources will be highly improved, as it is presented for CONSTRUCTIONS in
the Synthesis of objectives on short-term, mid-term and long-term according to the Research and
Development Strategy of NRDI URBAN-INCERC drafted in 2010 and revised in 2011, and for
URBANISM and SPATIAL PLANNING in the Strategic objectives and directions.
3.4. Mechanisms for stimulating the appearance of new research directions.
The appearance of new research directions will be based on the contacts with European partners and on
own research. In URBAN-INCERC it will applied The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of
Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers “A Human Resources Strategy for Researchers incorporating
the Charter and Code”. URBAN-INCERC will support the appearance of critical mass in the key fields
for the institutional development.
3.5. Financial SWOT analysis of INCD URBAN-INCERC
Strengths
1. The annual turnover for 2008-2010 period provided the coverage of expenses necessary for the
achievement of the institute’s object of activity and the achievement of profit without reflecting a
major impact of the economic and sectorial crisis for the institute as a whole, even though there have
been reductions of the values contracted for the National Program PN II projects.
2. The incomes derived from the actual research-development activity have a share of over 90% of total
revenues, which demonstrates the efforts made to preserve the institute’s main object of activity.
3. Complying with the correlations between the main economic and financial indicators (for example,
the correlation between wage growth and labour productivity growth).
4. The values of the main economic and financial indicators (economic return rate, financial return rate)
indicate values considered normal for the research and development sector.
5. The large number of areas of activity and financing sources provide a limited exposure to the risk of
reduction of the activity and orders from beneficiaries.
6. The absence of long term and outstanding debts to the State budget.
Weaknesses
1. Difficulties in providing co-financing from own resources for national or European research projects,
given the tendency of decreasing contracts with private firms.
2. The lack of a long term unitary price policy at institute level for contracts with private firms.
3. A relatively low wage level for the entire institute, which generates a migration tendency of the
personnel towards private firms.
4. The impossibility to replace the elder personnel with a younger one because of the impossibility to
fulfil the financial requirements for wages in comparison to private firms.
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Opportunities
1. The possibility to access European funds for research projects, which would diminish the national
public funds cut-back tendency for the research and development sector.
2. Existing national investment programs which can stimulate private demand for agreements, testing
and other research services provided by INCD URBAN-INCERC.
3. The need to update and complete the technical regulations fund of the Ministry of Regional
Development and Tourism, which would lead to the allocation of additional funding for this field.
4. Given INCD URBAN-INCERC’s status as a national institute, it can capitalize the provisions of the
legislation in the field of public procurement (art. 13, letter f in the Government Ordinance no.
34/2006), through the opportunity to receive research themes directly from the Ministry of Regional
Development and Tourism.
Threats
1. Cumbersome approval procedures for research projects contracted by the Ministry of Regional
Development and Tourism and for documentation of urban and regional planning, creating large gaps
between project delivery and collection, and in the same time affecting short time cash flow.
2. The increasing of the debt recovery period as a side-effect of the sectorial crisis.
3. The decreasing demand for agreements, testing and other services because of the decreasing volume
of activity in the construction sector.
4. Frequent changes in the financial accounting legislation, thus making impossible a long term financial
planning.
5. The tendency to reduce the financial resources allocated by the state budged to the research and
development sector.
6. Cumbersome accreditation procedures for the institute as a certification organism, which could lead to
a decrease in the institute’s volume of orders.
3.6. Infrastructure: investment plan and strategy.
The situation of infrastructure in each laboratory and branch is presented in specific tables. There was a
financial input in the period of 2007-2011, and many labs received new equipment, covered by MDRT
and ANCS Projects. The crisis made less strong this input now. The level of exploitation is variable,
depending on contracts, but it may reach 75% in some active periods. Investments will de directed on
retechnologization priorities presented in the strategic plan objectives. A number of new testing
equipments from the State Inspectorate for Constructions will be used by URBAN-INCERC Branches
based on a protocol of collaboration. The equipments donated by JICA to MDRT-NCSRR represent a
valuable asset, and a part of it will be used in partnership with Technical University of Civil Engineering,
in the field of structural and earthquake engineering, geotechniques, earthquake eductaion of citizens etc.
3.7. Technology transfer and the attraction of non-public funds.
Technology transfer will refer mainly to the CONSTRUCTION field, while the new concepts and
instruments will be applicable in URBAN AND SPATIAL PLANNING research. Based on relationships
with producers and construction companies, with authorities, the dissemination of research results will be
enhanced and non-public funds will be attracted for financing and co-financing of research.
3.8. Strategic partnerships and visibility: events, communications, collaborations.
The effect of the existence of a research building strategies at national level will be felt by emphasizing
the contribution to public policies of MECTS and programs of MDRT and the transfer of results to units
of construction, local authorities etc. involved in sustainable development.
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The following proposals represent a background for partnership with MDRT:
PROPOSALS OF PRE-NORMATIVE RESEARCH / REGULATION BY INCERC BUCHAREST
BRANCH AND TERRITORIAL NRDI URBAN-INCERC BRANCHES FINANCEABLE BY
MDRT
Project proposals – 28 themes
Estimated value 11.828 thousands lei – 2750 thousands Euro
SECTORIAL MDRT PROGRAM 2012-2015
“TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT” PROGRAM – projects proposals with values of 7600 thousands
lei - 1767 thousands Euro – structured in three subprograms:
- “GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SPATIAL DATABASE FOR TERRITORIAL
DEVELOPMENT” subprogram – 3 projects – 1.300 thousands lei - 302 thousands Euro
- “HOUSING RESEARCH-DEVELOPMENT” subprogram – 10 projects – 2.800 thousands lei - 651
thousands Euro
- “URBAN AND TERRITORIAL PLANNING” subprogram – 11 projects – 3.500 thousands lei - 813
thousands Euro
„CONSTRUCTION” PROGRAM - project proposals with a value of 39.141 thousands lei – 9102
thousands Euro - structured in three subprograms:
- “ENERGETIC PERFORMANCE AND THERMAL REHABILITATION OF BUILDINGS”
subprogram – 6 projects – 7.140 thousands lei - 1660 thousands Euro
- “POLICIES, SYSTEMS AND INNOVATIVE MATERIALS FOR SUSTAINABLE
CONSTRUCTIONS IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND TOURISM” subprogram – 27 projects –
16.800 thousands lei - 3906 thousands Euro
- “INTEGRATED ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS TO INCREASE THE SAFETY OF CITIZENS IN
NATURAL AND ANTHROPOGENIC RISK SITUATIONS” subprogram – 21 projects – 15.201
thousands lei - 3535 thousands Euro
The economic impact of using a modern unified strategy will be felt both within the construction sector,
through better environmental quality, the conduct of economic activities, the framework and working life
of the inhabitants, as well as technical and social infrastructure territory and settlements.
Strategic partenerships will be enforced at national level, with universities, patronates of constructions and
chambers of commerce and industry. The Conference of URBAN-INCERC will became yearly event and
the Journals CONSTRUCTIONS and URBANISM, ARCHITECTURE, CONSTRUCTIONS will be a
conveyor of knowledge in territory. Strategic partenerships will be enforced at European level with
institutes of ENBRI and EOTA, Danube and Black Sea Region. ECBR in URBAN-INCERC will address
in a synergy manner during the next period the priorities of the EUROPEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN
MAJOR HAZARDS AGREEMENT (EUR-OPA).
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