A central aspect of this vision is the reduction of mass and energy in building materials and construction processes. The construction industry accounts for around 25% of Austria's GDP, both directly and indirectly. Against this background, sustainability in construction means not only directly reducing CO2 emissions but also reducing all types of waste by optimizing construction processes. By developing new, more sustainable materials and smarter geometries, material consumption can be reduced while increasing the performance and sustainability of buildings. The Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering aims to develop materials, products, building systems, and construction processes that are not only more environmentally friendly, but also leave a smaller ecological footprint thanks to their innovative design, production, and recyclability.

Another important area is increasing the service life of buildings and infrastructure, taking into account changing conditions such as the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This includes increasing the resilience of structures and products to make them more resistant to environmental stresses and usage-related impacts. Through research and innovation, buildings and infrastructure should not only last longer, but also become more adaptable and sustainable.
 

In addition, the reuse of building materials and construction systems is a key aspect of sustainable development in the construction industry. The Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering is committed to improving reuse practices in order to conserve resources and reduce waste. This includes promoting circular economy models in which materials and systems can be reused after their initial phase of use without compromising their quality or functionality.
 

The importance of water is becoming increasingly apparent in the face of climate change and a growing global population. Significant risks arise from droughts, heavy rainfall, and increasing water pollution. Sustainable use, restoration of aquatic ecosystems, protection of water resources (surface and groundwater), and the development of innovative water treatment processes on the supply and disposal side are crucial to achieving sustainable water management.
 

Another crucial aspect is digital planning in construction, which enables a more precise and efficient design and planning phase through the use of modern algorithms, including artificial intelligence (AI). Closer integration of different planning and design processes reduces errors and improves the quality of construction projects. Furthermore, these tools should be used to better record the material composition of buildings. This digital planning is complemented by digital fabrication, which uses advanced technologies to manufacture components and complete buildings. These advanced digital technologies contribute significantly to precision and efficiency in construction operations and are revolutionizing construction processes as a whole.

The focus is on adapting infrastructure to heavy rainfall, droughts, and increasing water pollution with harmful substances. Building on an excellent understanding of the future hydrological situation, models for input pathways and the transport of sediments, pollutants, and pathogens will be further developed in order to be able to take targeted, greenhouse gas (GHG)-optimized, and cost-efficient measures for their management. Suitable technologies for water treatment, including water reuse, will be developed and tested, as will technologies for monitoring and treating or using rainwater use in urban areas.

This focus aims to develop new sustainable building materials, use resources efficiently, and optimize the life cycle of buildings. This will be achieved through an interdisciplinary combination of experimental research, modeling, and simulation to create innovative solutions for the construction industry. Promoting the circular economy and reducing the ecological footprint in construction are essential steps in combating climate change.

The focus on digital fabrication uses advanced digital technologies to manufacture components and complete structures, thereby increasing precision and efficiency in the construction process. End-to-end processes ranging from model-based digital planning data to numerical simulations and life cycle analyses to digital production are set to revolutionize construction processes and enable the implementation of complex, sustainable designs.

This focus area concentrates on the maintenance, renovation, and monitoring of existing infrastructure to ensure its longevity and reliability. In light of increasing extreme weather events and aging infrastructure, improving the resilience and safety of structures is essential for the future.