Focus on Sustainability: Weimar Engineers Fall Back on »Plan B«
The construction industry is responsible for approximately 38% of global CO2 emissions. The emissions are caused by the high energy consumption of buildings and the rapid growth of cities. »The construction process requires large quantities of raw materials, which in turn require substantial energy for processing and also result in the release of greenhouse gases«, explains Prof. Tom Lahmer, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. At the same time, buildings today are themselves exposed to significant levels of environmental stress: Severe temperature fluctuations and extreme weather events, along with the densification of living spaces and the high volume of traffic, are placing much greater strain on the load-bearing capacity and safety of buildings and infrastructure compared to 20 years ago.
Construction industry in transition
It’s high time we rethink the way we do things, says Prof Lahmer, adding: »What we need are alternative solutions to meet the challenges of our time: New technologies, new resources, new planning, new construction, new communication, new thinking. What we need is a plan B«. The faculty is leading by example and demonstrating its commitment through its new name. Starting in April 2024, its name will be changed to »Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering«. The aim is to increase the focus on sustainability in both teaching and research in construction. »The construction industry is anticipated to undergo a shift towards comprehensively sustainable construction, as well as increased focus on the development and research of green technologies in the future«, says Lahmer, explaining this step.
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is already pursuing a holistic approach to sustainable construction. The use of modern technologies such as building information modelling, sensors, drones and robotics will enable buildings to be built and monitored digitally in the future. This has the potential to save time, materials, and costs starting right from the planning stage while also enhancing the safety of existing buildings. Another area of focus involves researching and developing new designs and sustainable building methods, such as through the use of renewable raw materials and the optimisation of load-bearing structures. However, in view of the scarcity of resources, the primary objective is to save and recycle materials. This is accomplished by employing modular construction techniques, utilizing renewable energy systems, implementing wastewater treatment, and emphasizing the refurbishment and conversion of existing buildings.
Anniversary year with the theme of »Plan B«
To mark the 70th anniversary, the Faculty is organising a themed year in 2024 under the slogan of the same name. Throughout the year, researchers and students will be welcoming you to participate in personal dialogue through exhibitions, open labs, tours, public lectures, and scientific debates. Highlights include the »Science Mile Q3« on 12 July as part of summaery2024 and the »Long Night of Sciences« on 15 November. The latter will feature guided tours of the faculty’s laboratories and engaging hands-on activities suitable for guests of all ages. The open-air exhibition »Queens of Structure« on the grounds of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar also aligns with the anniversary theme and focuses on the contributions of women civil engineers. All interested parties are cordially invited to the vernissage on 25 April 2024.
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Further information on the anniversary programme can be found on the website: www.uni-weimar.de/planb
If you have any questions, please contact Dana Höftmann, Public Relations Officer at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, by telephone at +49 (0) 3643 58 11 93 or by e-mail at dana.hoeftmann[at]uni-weimar.de.