Sustainable, beautiful and healthy construction and renovation sites

Expected outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Construction ecosystem actors are better aware of the negative effects of construction and renovation sites on natural ecosystems as well as on the health and well-being of construction workers and all people living, working or passing through the vicinity. Significant reduction of negative effects of construction and renovation sites on natural ecosystems, health and well-being of construction workers and all people living, working or passing through the vicinity.

Scope

Construction and renovation sites can significantly contribute to environmental degradation through noise, air pollution, litter and waste. They also cause other disturbances such as soil compaction, dust emissions, water contamination, or vibration that can negatively impact surrounding natural ecosystems and biodiversity but also the health and well-being of construction workers and all people living, working or passing through the vicinity. Moreover, construction and renovation sites are often visually unappealing and poorly integrated into their surrounding environment, which can create a sense of disruption and negatively affect the well-being of nearby residents and all people living, working or passing through the vicinity. Yet, construction ecosystem actors, such as urban planners, architects, project developers, and construction site managers, are often unaware of the full extent of these negative effects on natural ecosystems, the environment and human health and well-being, or unable to mitigate them. As a result, these negative effects are rarely given adequate consideration. There is a need to better understand these negative effects and develop solutions that reduce them. Proposals are expected to address all of the following: Assess the negative environmental, ecological and health effects of construction and renovation sites on surrounding natural ecosystems, construction workers and all people living, working or passing through the vicinity. Develop at least two solutions to reduce the negative environmental, ecological and health effects of construction and renovation sites while also paying attention to the visual impact of these sites on their surroundings. Validate the proposed solution and assess their costs and benefits using appropriate methods and indicators. Provide recommendations and guidance to construction ecosystem actors on how to reduce the negative environmental, ecological and health effects of construction and renovation sites and develop a draft "European Charter for sound environmental and working environment management of renovation and construction sites" that can be endorsed by companies and entities. Proposals are expected to follow a participatory and transdisciplinary approach through the integration of different actors and disciplines. This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. Proposals are expected to allocate at least 0.8% of their budget for engaging with the Horizon Europe-funded 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' to share their intermediate and final results, findings and learning, as well as to contribute to impact assessment.

What this means for cities and regions

Cities as permitting authorities and public developers, with the construction sector. Relevant for any city running a large renovation programme. Topic budget €8 million; 2 grants expected; around €4 million per project. Opens 5 May 2027; closes 1 December 2027. Limited direct space angle; satellite-derived air-quality and land data can support site impact assessment.