European Sustainable Construction Regulation: Homogeneity and Attention

European Sustainable Construction Regulation: Homogeneity and Attention
Author/editor: Jeroen van der Heijden|Ellen van Bueren
Year published: 2011
Volume no.: 2
Issue no.: 4

Abstract

Understanding the negative impact of the construction industry and the built environment on the ecological environment, the European Commission (EC) aims to harmonise and improve sustainable construction regulatory frameworks in Member States of the European Union. This paper discusses the topics of sustainable construction that are currently regulated in Europe. It asks to what extent there is homogeneity among Member States in doing so; and what strategies the EC may apply in improving both the homogeneity in, and attention for sustainable construction regulation among Member States. It finds that current EC Directives have a positive effect, but may be too resource-intensive to address the ecological risks generated by the construction industry and the built environment in the EU in a timely fashion.

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