Leesu is also one of the laboratories belonging to OSU (Observatory of Universe Science), EFLUVE (fluid envelopes, from the city to exobiology), with LISA (interuniversity laboratory of atmospheric systems) and CEREA (atmospheric environment teaching and research centre).

Dual tutelage for comprehensive research

Leesu’s dual “engineering school” tutelage helps to direct its research activities towards comprehensive research, around issues in the domains of water management, urban engineering and the environment, and in return provides universities, engineering schools and ministries with research skills (evaluation and training) in their respective fields of activity. The laboratory has a particular focus on applied research, largely driven by questions raised by those working in real-world contexts: municipal and regional departments, government regional departments or companies, for which environmental issues are becoming particularly critical.

 Analysis of urban and periurban areas

Leesu’s research activity is anchored in the analysis of urban and periurban areas from the perspective of their sociotechnical and environmental operation in relation to the rural areas with which they interact. It is developing multidisciplinary research based firstly on earth science, biology and engineering, and secondly on political and management science. Standing at the interface between environmental engineering and urban engineering,  Leesu seeks to:

• Improve understanding of urban function, the pressures it faces and the traces it leaves, at different scales, from the individual to the neighbourhood, from urban centres to outer suburbs to primarily rural spaces.
• Develop design and management tools to foster the emergence of sustainable cities within fast changing areas of complex geometry.