RTU establishes center for circular and climate-neutral construction

Riga Technical University (RTU) has launched a Center for Sustainability Competencies, an initiative designed to advance sustainable and responsible construction policies and business practices. The center also aims to increase public understanding of circular development and create a high-quality, inclusive living environment.

The establishment of the center was marked by a cooperation memorandum signed by RTU, the Ministry of Economics, and the Ministry of Climate and Energy. This memorandum outlines the center's role in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among science, industry, and the public sector. It will facilitate knowledge transfer and the creation of new solutions, providing the industry with necessary professionals and expertise.

The center will also offer scientifically-backed support for policy development focused on creating a sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and inclusive living environment. Its principles are rooted in climate neutrality, the circular economy, and efficient resource utilization. Furthermore, it will assist public sector clients by promoting a life-cycle approach, responsible resource management, enhanced energy efficiency, and the integration of sustainable solutions into decision-making processes.

RTU Rector Tālis Juhna stated that the initiative leverages the expertise of RTU scientists in materials, design, and renewable resources. The goal is to create a model that benefits not only academia but also the overall competitiveness of the national economy by providing an independent perspective on Latvia's sustainable development. Māra Liepa-Zemeša, director of RTU's Institute of Architecture and Design, emphasized that sustainability is a responsibility to future generations, with a focus on human capital, education, and shaping the thinking of new professionals. She added that the aim is to prepare specialists capable of creating environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also socially and ecologically responsible.

Pēteris Druķis, director of the Institute of Civil Engineering Sciences, highlighted the inevitability of the transition to circular construction, posing the question of which countries will implement it wisely to profit from it. The collaboration between scientists, industry, and government aims to support construction development in line with principles of economic and management efficiency, environmental and resource effectiveness, social sustainability, environmental quality, supply chains, and innovation.