In a two-day event hosted by the Austrian Promotional Bank (Austria Wirtschaftsservice) in Vienna on April 9th and 10th, 2024, dr. Jure Trilar and mag. Nataša Božić met with stakeholders from across the Danube region convened to establish a formidable partnership aimed at revolutionizing the construction industry towards sustainability.
Representatives from Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Moldova, and Hungary came together to unveil an alliance focusing on research and development, circular economy, and innovation within the Danube basin and its surrounding areas.
The project, titled “Circular DigiBuild,” is funded by Interreg Danube with a clear objective of harnessing the full potential of regions in transitioning towards cleaner construction practices. The project aims to propel the adoption of emerging technologies in the circular economy, particularly within the construction and building sectors, to facilitate a transition towards a greener future.
During the 2-day event, partners delved into various topics crucial for achieving their goals, including boosting the uptake of emerging technologies, digitalization in the construction industry, legal frameworks for data governance and sustainability, smart solutions in construction, and mathematical optimization in renovation decision making and building management.
Of particular interest were discussions surrounding the challenges and opportunities presented by circular economy implementation in construction, and the pivotal role of digitalization in overcoming these hurdles.
Furthermore, participants gained insights into emerging European frameworks such as Digital Building Logbooks and Material Passports, which hold significant promise in aggregating and accessing data essential for sustainable construction practices.
The gathering served not only as a platform for knowledge exchange but also as a catalyst for collaborative action towards a more sustainable future for the Danube region’s construction industry. With shared ambitions and a collective commitment, the partners departed with renewed determination to drive meaningful change in the built environment, fostering economic prosperity while safeguarding the planet for generations to come.
