The perspectives of research in the construction field in Romania during the 2014-2020 period

• Main Authors: Mihai VRABIE, Sergiu-Andrei BĂETU
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National R&D Institute URBAN-INCERC, INCERC Bucharest Branch 2013-12-01
• Series: Constructii: Journal of Civil Engineering Research
• Subjects: research in constructions; identity crisis; research program and strategy; priority fields; interdisciplinarity
• Online Access: http://constructii.incerc2004.ro/Archive/2013-2/Constructii_2013_Vol.14_No.2_ID2013140201.pdf
• ISSN: 1221-2709; 2247-0328

The construction field represents an important part of the Romanian economy (and of UE), with a strong social impact on the quality of citizen life. Naturally, the research from the construction field should be a priority in research and innovation activity. However, the research programs recently launched (Horizon 2020, from EU, and the Strategy of Research and Innovation 2014-2020 in Romania), don’t mention the construction field as an explicit priority. Under these conditions, we can speak of a real identity crisis of the research in construction, a crisis which may worsen in the next seven years, as an effect of limiting the access to material and human resources, caused by the field marginalization. In this paper, a detailed analysis of the mentioned research programs is done, in order to identify possible connections with research in construction and some research directions, additional to the priority directions. Some probable causes that led to the crisis in construction research are identifies, as well as possible measures, actions, directions and research topics that can rally researchers in the field. From the conclusions drawn in the final section, it results that the identity, place and role of research in construction can be found in the interaction and close collaboration with research from other areas, in inter-, multi-, or trans-disciplinary teams.