GSA Trends 2019 #5 Technological solutions: a second wind
Low tech and low carbon do not mean the end of technology. On the contrary, these Green Solutions Awards seem to show that "technosalvation" is not the only alternative on well-designed projects. A look back at the 2019 trends in this fifth opus. 5.1. Technology inside the building Construction in a temperate environment is a sure value for the technology. Nevertheless, if we except the CPUs used to heat the Florestine Residence, the technological prize is to be awarded to warmer climates. Thus,
Expert talk Green heat: from fossil to green heat
Heating and cooling in our buildings and industry accounts for half of the EU’s energy consumption. In EU households, heating and hot water alone accounts for 79% of total final energy use (9.348 PJ); for Belgian households, the share of heating and hot water amounts to in total 85% of the final energy use (290 PJ). 87% of Belgian’s space heating is still generated from fossil fuels while only 10% is generated from renewable energy, mainly from biomass[i]. In order to fulfil the EU’s climate and
GSA 2019 Trends #4 - Reducing the carbon footprint
One of the aspects that we will venture to describe as positive in these Green Solutions Awards is the consideration of the carbon footprint. Few buildings, of course, offer a formal life cycle analysis (which is a matter of debate), but the reflection is there and serious. We also notice a real analysis of the use of bio-sourced materials after a few years of (re)discovery. There is still an E+C- still too abstract despite a close deadline. 4.1. Reuse, recycle, renovate, change-of-use Reuse, recycle
4 Key points of the European Energy Efficiency Directive
One of the European Union‘s most ambitious projects is to achieve an intelligent energy transition resulting in a sustainable, competitive and secure energy system for all Member States. And to achieve this goal, one of the tools the EU uses is the implementation of energy regulations and legislations, including the well-known Energy Efficiency Directive. In this article, we tell you what the EED is and how it affects your company’s regulatory compliance. The objective of the European Energy Efficiency
Don't Forget Solar Backsheet- Crucial Solar Module
We all are mindful of the solar energy that we receive from the solar panel unit. With the world going "green" more and more people have now started installing solar panels on the roof of a commercial and residential structure. The question is, why not? The solar energy is the new power key to have clean energy in the future. The solar panel offers abundant advantages which can fancy us. Solar energy comes from the natural source of energy that is the sun, which means it is not going to exhaust
GSA 2019 Trends #3 - When low-tech takes over
Low-tech is trendy in our Western societies, it is also trendy in the 2019 Green Solutions Awards to the point of competing with a major player in sustainable development: the passive. Explanation and discovery of case studies. 3.1. Frugality is a trend Would the French manifesto for a positive frugality have had an immediate impact on the candidates for the Green Solutions Awards? It is difficult to say, but one thing is certain: it is part of a phenomenon that is already tangible and has been promoted
Research reveals surprising link between socio-economic indicators and sustainability transition
A new study by EIT Climate-KIC partner academic institutions enables learning between high CO2-emitting regions following similar change pathways and suggests socio-economic factors such as digital development and education may play a critical role in decreasing emissions and supporting just transition. Many European regions face the challenge of phasing out coal energy as fast as possible in order to meet the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement while providing new economic perspectives for people
Bio-based Buildings B3 international conference
The first international conference on bio-based buildings dedicated to the public sector The B3 Conference aims to launch an unprecedented momentum of bio-based building across local and regional authorities worldwide. Over two days, creative and innovative initiatives of varying scales – from a building construction project to a regional development program - will be presented by project leaders, experts and professionals from both the public and private sectors to delegates from across the world
Assessing the Market for Micromobility in African and Asian cities
In this episode, Horace and Oliver run over Horace’s insights from his recent research using UN data into city-level potential for micromobility markets globally. We run through the most interesting growth trends in 1800+ cities. Specifically we look at: Contextualizing the rapid growth in car-based urbanization as part of a 5000 year trend Why Africa is one of the most interesting potential markets between now and 2035. The cities positioned for both the fastest growth and largest increase
GSA Trends 2019 #2 - Building and resilience: necessary consideration and frustration
Second opus of our trend analysis of the 2019 Green Solutions Awards. A short tour in warm climates, where building resilience and adaptation are essential. 2.1. The resilient building: a reality The construction resilient buildings goes beyond the trend, it is now a necessity. Awarded last year, but present in an anecdotal way, natural ventilation is strongly promoted this year. It is mostly in the category of warm climates of course, but also in temperate climates. The aim of the stakeholders is
GSA Trends 2019 #1 Health and comfort: the human factor
With almost 200 case studies from 36 different countries, the 2019 Green Solutions Awards provided a fine example of what is being done today to build more sustainable cities and territories. First opus of our trend analysis. 1.1. Residential: indoor air quality and thermal comfort become important While well-being in buildings seemed to be a concept reserved for the tertiary sector, the residential sector is taking up this issue year after year. Indoor air quality and thermal comfort are taken into
Decarbonizing Europe: time to turn up the heat!
Decarbonizing the heat sector is imperative to meeting carbon emissions reduction objectives across Europe. However, progress so far has been sluggish in most European countries. Sweden is an exception with 80% of its heat coming from locally sourced and abundant biomass. It sets an example for other European countries, where using local resources and heat networks can help decarbonize the heating sector, whilst also providing the characteristics that institutional investors look for in sustainable
If we want liveable cities in 2060 we'll have to work together to transform urban systems
Urban greening is just one aspect of the transformation required to ensure our future cities are sustainable, liveable places. Matt Leane/Shutterstock Tayanah O'Donnell, Australian National University; Bob Webb, Australian National University; Chris Ryan, University of Melbourne; Eleanor Robson; Jago Dodson, RMIT University et Kate Auty, University of Melbourne Not everyone wants to live in the inner city and it’s insulting to describe the outer suburbs as the fringe. This was just one view from
Riding in the right direction: a Turkish city goes back to cycling
Tepebaşı is a town of Eskişehir in western Turkey embracing a return to urban cycling albeit with a novelty – the bikes are electric A few decades ago, the town enjoyed a relatively high proportion of non-motorised transport due its geographical and industrial features. However, other more polluting modes of transport gradually took over – something the municipality is now keen to reverse. As part of the EU-funded REMOURBAN project, the municipality has introduced an e-bike-sharing scheme along
[Save the date] The date is set on the 4th of November at Batimat to discover the Green Solutions Awards 2019 winners
Who are the international winners of the 2019 Green Solutions Awards? You will get the answer on the 4th of November, at Batimat, partner of the competition! A ceremony bringing together, from all over the world, the pioneers in sustainable construction will be organised from 11am to 1pm to reward these most advanced professionals whose solutions, replicated on a large scale, make it possible to fight global warming. Join! And discover the winning buildings, districts and infrastructures of the
