ECTP: FA Cities and Building

FA Cities and Buildings

Cities being the most desirable places in which to live and work

European cities exemplify quality efficiency and use of advanced technologies and practices whilst respecting and building upon their cultural heritage. They provide attractive, healthy and sustainable environments in which social and cultural values are cherished and fostered; places in which optimal management of resources ensures minimal environmental impact; renovated places meeting evolving users needs and ensuring low resources consumption; places in which buildings are built and maintained in a smart and sustainable way; places where social cohesion is underpinned by significant economic prosperity; places where coherent planning policies ensure equitable land use and places where equilibrium reigns between the needs of the citizen and the needs of business.

Advanced techniques and know-how for city planning and building enhance the competitiveness of European construction industry.

The challenge for the Cities of Europe Focus Area is to improve the health and quality of life of its citizens together with environmental and economic performance. This can be stated explicitly as follows:

Improve the competitiveness and the productivity of the European construction sector
Create new businesses and opportunities within the European construction sector
Form alliances, particularly between the product end-users and the main actors in the construction process, to create a robust platform for development and realisation of Cities of Europe that meet the needs and wishes of their citizens.
Improve the health, comfort, security and safety of people in the closed and open spaces of the urban environment during the main activities of living, working playing and transportation.
Drastically reduce resource consumption of existing and new city areas and buildings. This will be achieved through ambitious energy programmes of renovation and renewal, leading to a major reduction of green gas emissions and new concepts for the next generation of low energy buildings.
Re-engineer the construction process into a safe and high-tech industrialised process having a minor impact on the environment. This can be achieved through extensive factory prefabrication of elements, components and complete building systems offering high quality, customisable and sustainable building units and modules making use of new materials and technologies.
Re-design urban planning activities into an integrated value-adding process.
Create sustainable urban environment.

If you are interested in participating or if you want more information, please contact Mr Javier Mardaras from ACCIONA or Mr Roger de Block from SAINT-GOBAIN who are leading this Focus Area.