Endowed Professorship for Sustainable Construction Established at TU Graz

Strategic Insights -

Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) and the Austrian Association for Building Materials and Ceramic Industries (Stones and ceramics association) have formed a partnership to advance sustainable construction practices. The association will fund the endowed professorship for sustainable construction for three years, with an option for extension. This professorship will focus on developing methods for lifecycle-based sustainability assessment and implementing greenhouse gas-free and climate-robust construction projects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The professorship will prioritize circular economy practices, including the reuse and recycling of building components and materials.
  • The goal is to make buildings and their materials resources for the future, enabling long service life and material reuse or recycling.
  • The professorship aims to contribute significantly to achieving the Paris climate goals and implementing the UN Agenda 2030 action plan.
  • TU Graz will contribute scientific positions, administrative support, and infrastructure for research and teaching.
  • The professorship is expected to create a central point of contact for the building materials and construction industry, bundling research activities on sustainable construction, climate protection technologies, and climate change adaptation.
  • Teaching will focus on integrating sustainability fundamentals into civil engineering education, anchoring the topic in all relevant curricula at TU Graz.

Statistics:

  • 3 years: duration of the funded professorship
  • 2020s: expected period for the implementation of the Paris climate goals and the UN Agenda 2030 action plan
  • 2030: target date for TU Graz to operate in a climate-neutral manner
  • 99: section of the University Act governing the funding of the professorship

Sources:

  • Global Warming Focus, APR 26 2021
  • Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)
  • Austrian Association for Building Materials and Ceramic Industries (Stones and ceramics association)
  • NewsRx LLC, 2021
  • Global Warming Focus: Engineering breaks down climate change in AU
  • Global Warming Focus: AU Tabs Sustainable Construction for EU