How do we shift to sustainable construction?

Lamia Messari-Becker is a leading voice on sustainable construction. The professor at the University of Siegen serves as a policy advisor on various committees. In an interview with Julia Liese, she discussed her ideas for how the construction sector can address climate change. The interview was published in the new book Architecture and Climate Change by Edition Detail.

What changes are needed to make the construction industry more sustainable?

The short answer: We need to change how we manage all our resources, including space, building materials, raw materials, energy, and, of course, money. Achieving this not only requires strong support for innovation and research but above all comprehensive policy changes.

Architecture and Climate Change. 20 Interviews on the Future of Building, © Edition Detail, 2024

What about the circular economy and policies for reusing building materials?

Using resource passports that track a building’s material usage and carbon emissions makes sense to me. I don’t think we should impose strict limits right away. Instead, we should encourage and nurture the innovative ideas already present in the construction sector. For instance, some buildings generate surplus energy throughout their lifecycle, while others are fully recyclable or climate neutral. I could also imagine introducing a permit for dismantling that would require anyone constructing a new building to outline how it could eventually be reused or redeveloped sustainably.

Find out more in the new publication Architecture and Climate Change.
A look inside the book: Browse here