CEPS Construction Day 2025
Session 1: Rethinking the built environment and what the EU can do
Stefan Schleicher, Wegener Center at the University of Graz
He emphasized in his keynote that reaching these goals will require a deepened understanding of buildings. Presenting the concept of buildings linked to areals or quarters, characterized by high building standards, thermal activation of building components, and a localized energy system with a low-temperature anergy grid, using terrestrial energy, heat pumps, and integrated control of building services will become the new normal in building design.
Nina Neumann, European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER)
Innovation is seen as a central lever for addressing energy poverty, energy costs, and their negative impact on the competitiveness of EU markets. DG ENER intends to focus more strongly on embodied emissions over the life cycle of buildings. Lead markets for low-carbon construction materials are to be developed, and an implementation pathway is to be created. A delegated act on financing building renovation, as well as an Affordable Housing Plan, is expected by the end of 2026.
Wolfgang Amann, Institute for Real Estate, Construction and Housing
By investigating financing social housing, there are currently only exemptions from the EU ban on state aid for low-income households. Amann suggested extending the exemption to middle incomes, as this would create a greater incentive to invest. For implementation, he promoted the Austrian housing subsidy model.
Cornelia Ninaus, AEE Intec
By presenting successful examples of serial renovation of buildings using prefabricated elements, these technologies emerge as highly suitable for most buildings constructed up to the nineties. In addition, productivity in construction can be improved through comprehensive digitalization.