Organized from 1983, the meetings of the academic association of Civil engineering (AUGC) became in France an annual space of exchanges between university researchers. The novelty of this year was to organize the 29th edition during three days on 29, 30 and 31 May, 2011, in the auditorium of the University AbouBekr Belkaïd in Tlemcen (Algeria), which was a very big success.
The idea was to give the means to think and to imagine new links and interactions between specialists of civil engineering for the benefit of the Mediterranean world. It is in this purpose that these meetings were dedicated to the expression of open and critical thought on civil engineering in the service of Mediterranean civilisation. The meetings, in a restricted circle or in the optics to set up more structuring networks of collaboration, were numerous. The themes around which these collaborations can develop are multiple: earthquake safety of buildings and dams, historical heritage conservation and management, control of the risks, etc. These exchanges will result, we do not doubt, on numerous concrete actions. In the south, as in the north, of the Mediterranean Sea, each and everyone will benefit from it.
Researchers, academics and engineers were invited to transmit their knowledge and to exchange ideas during the debates. Three hundred persons participated in this 29th edition with three plenary conferences, 140 oral communications and 60 posters. This strong participation ensured this meeting became one of the most important places for the reflection and the debate on civil engineering and its contribution in the Mediterranean world in 2011. Furthermore, four workshops investigated current and varied themes by taking time for the exchange of the experiences and the presentation of the projects. Thus were approached: University--company relations, the management in construction, the risks and the durability of the constructions evolving in an aggressive environment.
These meetings in Tlemcen aimed to think of both sides of the Mediterranean Sea together.