CECE attends the EU Commission’s high-level conference ”Construction: Let's Build Changes!”
BRUSSELS – On 6th July "Construction: Let's Build Changes!" conference brought together industry leaders, finance professionals and investors, policy makers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to discuss the challfuture of the construction sector.
Gwenole Cozigou (DG GROW, European Commission) opened the conference by addressing the many challenges but also opportunities for the construction sector. Cities and buildings are evolving to become more sustainable and serve people's needs in an inclusive and affordable way.
Infrastructure must have the resilience to accommodate new demands while ensuring safety and security requirements. Investment decisions and design processes must embrace a wider range of factors and be more strategic long term. Technological innovation will bring radical changes to the construction value chain.
A long-term vision at EU level is fundamental to facilitate change. Maroš Šefčovič (Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union) pointed to the role of the European construction industry regarding the response to economic and societal challenges such as jobs and growth, urbanisation, digitalisation, demographic changes, as well as energy and climate challenges. The construction industry generates about 9% of European GDP and accounts for 18 million direct jobs. Construction activities covering renovation work and energy retrofits add almost twice as much value as the construction of new buildings. Sustainable buildings can be one of the drivers for modernisation of the sector and its workforce.
More info with roma.guziak@cece.eu
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