Circular economy in construction works: the memorandum of understanding between the Veneto Regional Administration and the University of Padua

On 27 September 2022, the University of Paduaadhered to amemorandum of understandingwith theVeneto Regional Administrationto define common and complementary strategies promotingcircular economy in the construction industry.. Alongside the University of Padua, the protocol was also signed by ANCE Veneto (National Association of Building Contractors), ANPAR (National Association of Recycled Aggregate Producers), ARPAV (Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection of Veneto), Assindustria Venetocentro,, Legambiente Veneto,and theUniversity IUAV of Venice..

Specifically, the University of Padua will have to:

• provideresearch and development activitiesalready carried out on energy and environmental sustainability issues;
• promote supportive activities in the field ofwaste management and reuse, as well as safety and verification of environmental sustainability criteria;
• carry out anyreconnaissance of resourcesmade available by European funds.

The main commitment of all signatories of the protocol is, in general, to increase the development of a construction industry that respects the principles of circularity in the design, implementation and management phases of construction, increasingly encouraging the choice of sustainable production models and products,in line with the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

These results may be achieved also as a result of the supervisory work carried out by the newly-established“Round table for Sustainable Circular Construction”, coordinated by the Regional Administration, and composed of the designated representatives of each Party (the representative for the University of Padua isProfessor Michele De Carli,of the Department of Industrial Engineering). Their task will be to regularly check the status of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and the results achieved. It will thus be possible to monitor and identify areas for improvement and mechanisms for correcting any criticalities in the management of special waste, so as to limit the production of waste and, at the same time, the use of non-renewable raw materials, which constitutes an environmental cost.