Our buildings are ageing, posing an urgent need for renovation to achieve multidimensional European and international goals. Integrated renovation of buildings provides a unique opportunity to create a safe, sustainable and inclusive built environment, as it lies at the nexus between European policies on disaster resilience, energy efficiency, circularity and social cohesion. Optimised investments to modernise buildings in an energy-efficient, safe and sustainable way will improve the lives of millions of Europeans and create jobs in the construction ecosystem.
The built-up area in Europe covers 25 billion square meters, 20 billion of which were constructed before 1990. 40 % of the buildings in the European Union (EU) are located in seismic prone regions and were built without modern seismic design considerations. Earthquakes cause severe human and economic losses in Member States. At the same time, buildings are one of the most energy consuming sectors, resulting in high energy bills and carbon emissions with detrimental effects on climate change.
Renovation of buildings and urban spaces represents an opportunity to upgrade their structural and energy performance. Increased renovation rate and depth along with seismic resistant construction are key actions towards efficient and resilient buildings. Seismic risk mitigation is a sound financial investment that reduces property loss, casualties, disruption of services, and costs for sheltering, search and rescue after a disaster. Integrated investments on energy efficiency and structural strengthening of public and private buildings make technical, financial and social sense.
The pilot project and the building renovation makerspace provide scientific support to building renovation policies. Technical guidelines are based on the analysis of the European building stock, renovation technologies, assessment methodologies and scenarios for renovation. These guidelines can help policy makers, practitioners and authorities at multiple levels with the practical implementation of bespoke strategies (e.g. long-term renovation strategies, recovery and resilience plans) that consider regional needs and leave no one behind.
Related publications
Integrated seismic and energy renovation of buildings
Workshop 'Integrated seismic and energy renovation of buildings'