Challenging and Changing Europe’s Built Environment

Executive summary Europe is facing serious challenges, which are evident in the built environment. Damage has been caused by unexpected weather patterns resulting from climate change. Higher sea levels threaten underground rail systems in northern cities. The infrastructure in Eastern Europe is in disrepair. Water supply and wastewater systems throughout the EU are increasingly dilapidated and ill managed. Construction workers die in site accidents due to lax safety. Traffic congestion and pollution discourage development and erode the cultural heritage of collective memory. Unguided city design encroaches on the natural environment. Natural resources (particularly fossil fuel resources) are depleted through their indiscriminate use. Finally, Europe's built environment does not reflect the growing diversity and steady ageing of its population. These challenges are opportunities for the construction sector. Due to its size and the long life of structures, the built environment has a strong impact on society and on European growth and quality of life. We in the construction sector are involved in all stages of design, planning, construction and facilities management. For Europe to face its major technological, economic and social challenges, we must be proactive in understanding and communicating within our sector. The European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP) is an initiative to mobilise the whole construction sector – contractors, authorities, architects and other designers, purchasing bodies, and the full range of suppliers, clients and users – to find a clear set of common priorities. We see construction change to be increasingly client-driven, sustainable and knowledge-based. Research has a vital role to play in this process of transformation. The ECTP will act as an umbrella for research initiatives. The key goals are linked: to maximize client potential in reaching sustainable development. The strategic research themes are: Materials and technology, Industry transformation, and Service. Material and technology changes will come with the full integration of the developments in the fields of bio-, nano-and information technology. Industry transformation involves bridging the gap in communication between the technical and human side of things in order to discover new business opportunities. Service issues include the pursuit of health, safety and sustainability by meeting human needs and improving accessibility, quality of life and work. Facilitating socioeconomic changes by innovating the collective memory is an important issue in the development of Europe's cities. Other priorities are to improve technological take-up, and develop both human and natural resources while increasing opportunities for competition.