III Sobratema Forum: environmental performance through technological innovation

Presently, a characteristic that typifies Brazilian civil construction is the need to industrialize its processes, especially in terms of quality and productivity. Another important aspect that has been getting priority treatment by this segment of industry refers to sustainability and the environmental performance of construction systems.  

“What one expects is that, through technological innovation, construction processes can be developed to meet the need for industrialization while providing better environmental performance compared to known and established sustainability criteria,” states Professor José Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral, Director for Certification at Fundação Vanzolini (Vanzolini Foundation) in São Paulo, Brazil. 

Architectural and engineering projects can be considered more sustainable when they provide for and observe the following criteria: lower consumption of natural resources, water and energy; lower production of residues and emissions of carbon throughout their life cycle; greater comfort for users; lower impact upon  human health, the environment and the neighborhood; greater recycled content and ease of dismantling and recycling at the end of the project’s useful lifetime; conformity with technical norms and standards and applicable regulations;  and the use of the formal supply chain for materials, construction systems and processes and services. 

According to Amaral, the area of sustainable construction is moving at a fast pace; real estate developers have realized that their customer are increasingly concerned about acquiring sustainable realty that actually provides good conditions of comfort and health, low operating cost and maintenance of the value of the asset. 

One particular bit of information that serves to reinforce this position is that 69 realty projects; 64 of which are buildings, one social housing land development, two technological parks and a group of 80 popular homes, in eight of Brazil’s states – Bahia, Federal District of Brasilia, Paraíba, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo, have been certified under the AQUA Process (Processo AQUA) for sustainable construction issued by Fundação Vanzolini. “The AQUA Process, in a systematic and rigorous uncompromising manner, verifies if the performance goals are achieved by conducting on-site audits during the key stages of the project:  Program, Design and Execution,” explains Amaral, who will be one of the speakers at the III Sobratema Forum Brazil Infrastructure, taking place October 30th at Centro Fecomércio de Eventos (São Paulo/SP).

During his presentation, besides providing details as to how Processo AQUA certification works, Amaral will also show Forum participants why important entrepreneurs in construction, in the public and private sectors, apply for such certification. The III Sobratema Forum Brazil Infrastructure – Technology and Innovation is addressed to professionals in the construction business production chain and in the areas of research, development and innovation. 

 

Registration is now available at event’s official website: www.sobratemaforum.com.br.  Seating is limited.