TOPICS

During the last decade, some of the strategies used have become a guarantee for a sustainable, environmentally, socially, and economically integrating model. Strategies focused on building renovation actions, and on the regeneration and renovation of the urban fabric. As part of these strategies - which include the distribution outcomes of the Next Generation EU funds - social housing and urban environments emerge as perfect examples of this becoming a reality. Reason for which, contributions made to this thematic block, should be aimed at analysing this topic in depth, through the study of contemporary proposals from the different public administrations, and private entities’ promotion and financing. In addition, and also within the scope, will be experiences of building renovation , maintenance, and sustainable interventions in listed heritage within protected urban centres; including practices to improve universal accessibility, as well as sustainable and efficient adaptation of urban spaces to climate change. Likewise, particularly relevant will be actions contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements; committed to ensuring access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services; focused on improving neighbourhoods, and reducing negative environmental impacts derived from cities.

Industrialised construction and prefabrication have experienced a complete rework, in terms of specialisation and field of expertise within production processes; allowing for a new technical innovation field to emerge, which we include in this thematic block. This new scenario involves following the rules of the 4.0 Industry, emphasising the latest digital technology, and seeing it in a new context with the help of interconnectivity through the Internet of Things (IoT), and access to real-time data. Additionally, in this roundtable the automation of processes, the use of BIM methodology (Building Information Modelling), LEAN and the digitisation of construction management will be in the central. As well as the use of specific technologies linked to robotics and AI applied to construction, including predictive modelling and Big Data. This block will also welcome papers on smart cities and smart buildings.

The different perspectives on sustainability and how it is materialising in the construction sector, will be the main objective of this thematic block, which will place a lot of importance on experiences committed to making sustainability a reality. These include resource conservation by using local sources and finding new uses for traditional materials. We will place decarbonisation of the sector, carbon-neutral architecture and development, and use of sustainable and innovative materials centre stage. Also included in this bock will be, the implementation of the 5Rs principle – reduce, repair, recycle, recover, reuse – highlighting experiences aimed at the promotion of circular economy, utilising materials throughout their life cycle and recycling them. Also welcomed are contributions which focus on the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings from the perspective of energy rehabilitation, renewable energy integration, and the promotion of self-consumption. Financing options to achieve these objectives, both from public and private initiatives, will also be discussed.

The new commitments made by the building sector, have made rehabilitation key for maintaining habitability and social utility, which must be met without environmental impacts. Thus, this thematic block will focus on the comfort and quality requirements to be met by buildings, both new constructions and existing ones. Welcomed too will be experiences whose objective is to technically guarantee efficient and safe housing, and/or those including design and construction which implement optimal ways to take advantage of environmental natural elements, resulting in bioclimatic housing. Particularly relevant will be the papers focusing on the development of mechanisms to mitigate and adapt housing to current climate change risks, aiming at establishing a more resilient economy and society. Special consideration will be had for the construction sector‘s social commitment, as well as public and private initiatives to achieve these goals.