Author(s)

I. G. Sánchez & E. K. Lauritzen

Abstract

A project called Integrated Decontamination and Rehabilitation of Buildings, Structures and Materials in Urban Renewal (IRMA) is being conducted within the European Commission’s Fifth Framework Programme \“Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development”. This international initiative involves seventeen partners from nine European countries, representing important stakeholders with interests in urban development. The primary objective of the project is the development and implementation of a general City Concept comprising a toolbox of improved technologies and processes, together with decision-making and management tools, for sustainable urban renewal, focusing on contaminated buildings, in order to protect the environment from hazardous compounds and save reusable buildings and materials. This paper presents the main focal points of the project, including contamination assessment, health and safety of construction and demolition workers, reduction of waste and preservation of buildings and resources. The holistic purpose of the project is to respond to some of the most important challenges of urban development, such as rehabilitation of old buildings, minimisation of waste and recycling of materials. Within this general context, focus is placed on the main outcome of the project, namely a model for an integrated management system called City Concept. The model serves as a management support tool for activities and processes related to the decontamination and rehabilitation of urban structures and buildings, including demolition, cleansing of surfaces and materials and recycling and reuse of recycled materials. Keywords: demolition, demolition waste, cleansing techniques, cleaner technologies, City Concept, integrated management system, sustainable urban renewal, decision-making tool.

Keywords

demolition, demolition waste, cleansing techniques, cleaner technologies, City Concept, integrated management system, sustainable urban renewal, decision-making tool.