Video (2018) about the new development "Merwede" in Utrecht (NL)

Newly built districts with space-efficient mobility offers

2:14 min - 10/4/2018

On the west side of the Merwedekanal, a new sustainable urban quarter is being built in a central location not far from Utrecht Central Station. An urban development plan for the redevelopment of an industrial area along the canal was drawn up by the municipality of Utrecht together with ten landowners. The plan envisages a mixed district with 17 blocks. Here, 6,000 to 9,000 apartments are to be built for approximately 12,000 residents. The area is to become a showcase for healthy and sustainable living with innovative concepts for recycling, energy production, climate adaptation and mobility solutions. Size: 60 ha. Planned completion: by 2024

Project Info:
http://sdg21.eu/db/merwede-in-utrecht-nl

Keywords: Car Free, Greening / climate adaptation, Bike-/Velo-City, Soil & land consumption, CarSharing, Movies, Movies < 4 Min, Climate protection, Mobility, New building area, News Blog Europe (without DE), News Blog Netherlands, Mix of uses, Quarters, Resource efficiency

Published 19 March 2021

DIN recommendations for the planning of resource-efficient buildings

Sustainable development in Germany is inconceivable without a resource-efficient construction industry. The new expert recommendation VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 explains in a practical way how to apply the concept of resource efficiency in the life cycle of buildings. To this end, it breaks down the tasks and scope for action of the individual players in the construction process. Using examples of increased material, energy and space efficiency, the expert recommendation supports the entire planning process towards a resource-efficient building.

Modern construction must be sustainable, and keep the many different aspects in mind: the use as well as the costs, the consumption of resources and the cultural background. The energy used for new buildings and facilities must be planned precisely, and the subsequent energy requirements must also be calculated in such a way that they can be met with as little input as possible. Last but not least, the construction processes themselves should also be resource-efficient. In Germany, the Resource Efficiency Program (ProgRess) exists for this purpose.

Aim of the expert recommendation VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 is to enable those involved in construction to design their building projects in a resource-efficient manner, and in particular to minimise the use of fossil energy raw materials and the emission of greenhouse gases. The aim is to achieve an optimal, contemporary compromise between economic efficiency and sustainability.

Resource efficiency can be planned and measured. The VDI has developed the VDI 4800 series of guidelines which contains basic principles and methodology, strategies and evaluation procedures. The new VDI expert recommendation VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 fleshes out the contents of the directive and helps with its application in practice. The expert recommendation is aimed at those responsible in the construction and real estate industry, politics and administration.

VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 provides guidance on the determination of resource efficiency, which results from the determination of the quantitative use of resources. In this sheet, the spatial level of a building is considered, primarily for residential and non-residential buildings, as well as temporary buildings. Further sheets of the expert recommendation will deal with resource efficiency in neighbourhoods or cities.

Publisher of the VDI expert recommendation VDI-EE 4802 Sheet 1 "Resource Efficiency in Construction - Buildings" is the VDI Society for Construction and Building Technology (GBG). The expert recommendation was published in March 2021 and can be ordered at a price starting at EUR 110.90 from Beuth Verlag. Online orders can be placed at www.vdi.de/4802 or www.beuth.de possible. VDI members receive a 10 percent discount on all VDI guidelines. VDI guidelines can be ordered in many public display free of charge.

Technical contact:
Dr. Frederike Wittkopp
VDI Society for Construction and Building Technology (GBG)
Phone: +49 211 6214-466
Email: wittkopp@vdi.de

Keywords:
DE-News, Faktor X / ResScore, Resource efficiency