Cape Town, South Africa, and The Hague, Netherlands — 2024
Mario Villalba Ferreira and Malin zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, researchers and key contributors to the Sustainable Urban Management for Resource Efficiency (SUM4RE) project, recently participated in two prestigious international conferences. Representing The Hague University of Applied Sciences and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, respectively, they showcased SUM4RE’s groundbreaking approach to sustainable urban management and resource efficiency.
About the SUM4RE Project
The SUM4RE project consists of a broad consortium of public, business, and research institutions, working collaboratively to drive innovation in sustainable construction and resource efficiency. The consortium includes 17 entities from the construction sector spanning Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Belgium, France, Finland, Estonia, and Switzerland.
SUM4RE proposes a comprehensive approach to creating materials banks from the built environment, combining urban mining with cutting-edge technologies for automated on-site data acquisition and the identification of building materials and asset components. This integrated methodology is a key driver for transforming the construction sector into a circular and resource-efficient industry.
ISWA 2024 Conference
At the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) 2024 Conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa, Mario and Malin delivered impactful presentations that emphasized SUM4RE’s governance component:
- Malin zu Castell-Rüdenhausen shared insights on “Industrial post-sorting – from mixed waste to plastics recovery.” Her work, developed in collaboration with VTT and aligned with SUM4RE’s objectives, explores advanced methods for recovering recyclable plastics, contributing to the circular economy by diverting materials from incineration.
- Mario Villalba Ferreira presented on “Comparing inter-municipal cooperation types and sustainable waste management outcomes across Latin American municipalities.” Representing The Hague University of Applied Sciences, his research focused on how collaborative governance models influence sustainable waste management, tying into SUM4RE’s overarching focus on effective policy frameworks.
More information: ISWA 2024 – WASTE TO WEALTH: SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
METREX Symposium
At the METREX Symposium in The Hague, Netherlands, Mario Villalba Ferreira delved deeper into SUM4RE’s governance component, addressing the central research question of this workstream:
How do current laws and policies (EU, national, and local) create barriers and opportunities for enhancing circular construction in the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain at municipal and provincial levels?
Mario explored the implications of existing legal and policy frameworks, identifying pathways to overcome barriers and capitalize on opportunities for advancing circular construction. His contributions emphasized SUM4RE’s innovative approach to linking governance research with actionable solutions for sustainable urban development.
More information: METREX Symposium: Rules and Space to Speed up Circular Construction – METREX
Expanding Networks and Opportunities
By participating in these international events, Mario and Malin not only advanced critical discussions on governance and sustainability but also expanded networks for potential alliances and collaborations. Engaging with global experts and stakeholders has created opportunities for SUM4RE to build strategic partnerships, enhancing its capacity to drive innovation and implement transformative solutions.
A Shared Vision for a Circular Future
The involvement of Mario Villalba Ferreira and Malin zu Castell-Rüdenhausen in ISWA 2024 and the METREX Symposium reflects SUM4RE’s commitment to addressing pressing global challenges in urban resource management. With a robust consortium and a clear vision for integrating technology, governance, and sustainability, SUM4RE is shaping the future of the construction sector and paving the way for a circular, resource-efficient built environment.