SUSTAINABUILD - Interdisciplinary Digital Skills for Sustainable Construction

The SUSTAINABUILD project aimed to address critical challenges in the construction industry and higher education by aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the EU Green Deal. It seeked to tackle environmental issues, skill gaps, and outdated educational approaches to foster a sustainable transformation in the sector. The construction industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation, accounting for 40% of global energy use, one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, and generating extensive waste streams. In response, the project focuses on embedding sustainability into construction practices and education, contributing directly to key SDGs, including SDG 11 (sustainable cities), SDG 7 (clean energy), SDG 12 (responsible consumption), and SDG 13 (climate action). Green and digital transitions require new interdisciplinary skills to integrate sustainable practices and digital tools into construction projects. The project addressed this demand by equipping students, educators, and practitioners with the competencies to meet labour market needs and sustainability challenges. It emphasized modernizing higher education through innovative teaching strategies, including developing a 5 ECTS hybrid course.

The project aimed to achieve a comprehensive transformation in the construction industry and higher education by equipping students, educators, and practitioners with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable and digital construction practices. Its primary objective was to align the construction sector with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by integrating green skills, digital tools, and sustainability-focused education into construction engineering programs. Through the project, we developed and implemented a 5 ECTS hybrid course that provided interdisciplinary and international knowledge, enabling students to understand how construction projects could support the achievement of the SDGs, particularly in areas such as clean energy, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and climate action. Additionally, the project created a strategic design framework to enhance the integration of SDGs into construction projects and assess the industry's needs, ensuring that education is aligned with labour market demands. We produced a digital handbook offering practical guidelines for implementing SDGs in construction projects. This resource supported practitioners, students, and educators.

Key Outputs: 1. Strategic Design Framework: A comprehensive framework was developed to integrate SDGs into construction projects. It included strategies for SDG implementation, an analysis of industry needs, and a list of sustainable construction dimensions for educational curricula. Practical cases of SDG implementation were documented to provide real-world insights and guidance for educators and practitioners. 2. Hybrid Course: A 5 ECTS hybrid course was designed and implemented, targeting construction engineering students. The course combined theoretical and practical modules, focusing on interdisciplinary knowledge and international collaboration. Innovative digital teaching materials, such as video content, assignments, and real-life case studies, were developed to enhance learning. The course was tested and refined through two pilot runs, ensuring its quality and relevance. 3. Digital Handbook: A digital handbook was created, offering practical guidelines for applying SDGs in construction projects. It addressed the entire construction lifecycle, from design to renovation or demolition, and included examples from partner countries. The handbook was designed for practitioners, educators, and students, serving as both an educational resource and an operational tool. Other Results: • Increased Interdisciplinary Knowledge and Skills: Students better understood sustainable construction and how it aligns with the SDGs. Cross-border collaboration during the hybrid course fostered digital mobility, cultural exchange, and interdisciplinary teamwork. • Enhanced Educational Capacity: Partner institutions improved their ability to deliver sustainability-focused education through updated curricula and teaching materials. Lecturers acquired new knowledge and digital teaching skills, enriching their professional development. • Support for Practitioners: Industry practitioners benefited from the digital handbook and practical examples, improving their capacity to implement sustainable practices in projects. National reference groups provided a platform for sharing best practices and addressing local industry needs. • Transnational Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange: Partners from Denmark, Belgium, Finland, and Spain collaborated closely, sharing expertise and fostering innovation. The project created a replicable model for integrating SDGs into construction education and practice, applicable across Europe. • Contribution to the 2030 Agenda: The project directly supported several SDGs, particularly those related to sustainable cities (SDG 11), clean energy (SDG 7), responsible consumption (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13). By equipping students and practitioners with green skills, the project contributed to the broader goals of sustainability and competitiveness in the construction sector.