Portugal SB07. Sustainable Construction, Materials and Practices

Challenge of the Industry for the New Millennium

The construction industry is a vibrant and active industry. The building sector is responsible for creating, modifying and improving the living environment of humanity. On the other hand, construction and buildings have considerable environmental impacts, consuming a significant proportion of limited resources of the planet including energy, raw material, water and land. Therefore, the sustainability of the built environment, the construction industry and the related activities is a pressing issue facing all stakeholders in order to promote Sustainable Development. The new millennium is challenging practitioners and researchers with the sustainability of the built environment and the construction industry. Hence, the main purpose of this publication is to discuss these challenges and present solutions that actively facilitate and promote the adoption of policies, methods and tools to accelerate the movement towards a global sustainable built environment. The issues presented include: Building sustainability assessment tools; Indoor environment quality and benchmarks; Sustainable resources and materials use; Use of non-conventional materials; Use of industrial waste; Eco-materials and technologies; Sustainable management of existing building stock; Innovative sustainable construction systems; and Design.