Local resources and sustainable building technologies

Contemporary cities suffer today for economic, energy and climate crisis that in many countries contribute to limit the local development, inducing a sensible decline in social values, public cohesion and economic conditions of the people. New ways of life, new approachs in urban design, sustainable technologies and low impact building represent one of the most important challenge for the next urban regeneration. Research shows that it is possible to get the most with the minimization of resources use. Technological innovation does not always lead to a better buildings performance. We know that technology does not last over time and must be constantly replaced. Therefore, the use of passive design solutions with innovative technology but appropriate to the environmental, social and economic context help to make comfortable and low carbon buildings and are much more reliable, with better performance and usability for users. Architectural design and building technologies must allow to satisfy real housing demand, pushing on innovation and on regeneration programs adjust to the contest and to available local resources. Strategic actions are focused on a long time life cycle of urban spaces and buildings, with sustainable project and product innovations, as low embodied energy and material products or “almost zero energy” building retrofit and construction.