Europe must systematically advance ecological transformation, while at the same time growing its economy and maintaining social stability – both internally and externally – despite all the global turbulence. This calls for transnational and interregional cooperation as well as goal-oriented synergy between business and the scientific and research communities.

• Which transformation approaches, settlement strategies and key topics will boost regional competitiveness?
• How can the energy, mobility and construction transitions succeed in the context of transnational and interregional interaction?
• Which revitalization strategies for public infrastructure set good examples and which do not?

The degree of urbanization continues to increase. Healthy, sustainable, safe and smooth functioning urban structures must form the basis for urban development. At the same time, company sites are undergoing a process of transformation. 

• What measures are ecologically sound and economically viable on the road to net zero for the further development of cities and company sites?
• How can regulatory frameworks be designed to ensure that decarbonization does not lead to deindustrialization?
• How can cities create a quality of life in which urban infrastructure contributes to the competitiveness of companies?

Urban districts are living laboratories a creating resilient future with intergenerational equity. They will show whether the urban combination of living, working, leisure and culture can be successful or not. Efficient and effective use of energy and water resources and respect for biodiversity are of central importance.

• How can we connect the structural, technical and social infrastructure of individual districts to create a harmonious whole?
• What are the social impacts of the multi-generational revitalization of urban districts?
• What influence do global trends such as remote working and digitization have on the spatial distribution of workplaces in districts?

The built environment has a significant impact on our lives. It can create either a high level or a lack of user amenity. For this reason, the creation of a building culture that radiates positivity and architectural quality – including execution and finish – should be the top priority for everyone involved in construction.

• Which architectural and construction techniques satisfy economic, ecological and social goals at the same time?
• How can we improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings and integrate green technologies such as solar panels and geothermal heating systems?
• What are the opportunities and risks involved in the use of artificial intelligence in planning

Spaces shape people. We spend 90 percent of our time indoors. This makes it all the more important to optimally adapt the quality of the indoor environment to individual needs to create healthy, livable and inspiring buildings. A feeling of well-being is also created by harmonious interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces.

• How can indoor environments with high design quality, a healthy indoor climate and flexible usage concept be developed at an economically viable cost?
• How can a harmonious relationship between public and private use be achieved?
• How can negative impacts from factors such as traffic noise and air pollution be minimized?

We use vast quantities of primary raw materials to create infrastructure, buildings and products. Unfortunately, only a small fraction is returned to the material cycle at the end of its service life. In order to change this, we need a material and raw material strategy that is coordinated with legislators and acceptance of recycled materials on the part of consumers and the market.

• How can we integrate comprehensive lifecycle management into product innovation to promote resource efficiency and recycling?
• Does an increase in the proportion of recycled materials reduce dependence on imports?
• What needs to change in the industry for circular development, planning, construction and operation to become the norm?