Thomas Prinz (RSA FG iSPACE / Paris Lodron University Salzburg / Center Alpine Building) and Michael Grobbauer (FH Salzburg / Center Alpine Building) spoke with the magazine architektur.aktuell about the topics of structural redensification and efficient use of resources in the Alpine region.
In a recent interview with the magazine architektur.aktuell the research work of the Zentrum Alpines Bauen, a cooperation between the Fachhochschule Salzburg – Smart Building und dem Research Studio iSPACE, was highlighted. Thomas Prinz and Michael Grobbauer outlined the interdisciplinary contributions the center has made to the structural redensification and inner development of settlements. Thomas Prinz sees this as the key to reducing the still excessive use of land in Austria. The examples presented from the Research and Transfer Center show how resources can be used efficiently and in an environmentally friendly way.
Interdisciplinary approaches
Dealing with the complex cross-sectional issue of redensification and inner development of settlements requires a multidisciplinary approach.The developments at the Alpine Building Center have always been based on the premise of resource and energy efficiency.Part of this includes “the efficient use of land as a resource, the use of local, renewable building materials as well as increasing efficiency and changes in thermal networks through redensification and renovation”. Tools from geoinformatics are of central importance when it comes to land efficiency: simulation applications for land management are being developed to provide decision-makers with a valuable database for better planning of residential building structures and for identifying potential for redensification. To this end, we are working closely with municipalities. This work has already borne fruit: Oberndorf and Bergheim have used the results to gain an objective view of their development opportunities and are using them as a basis for well-founded decisions. The state of Salzburg and the Salzburger Baulandsicherungsgesellschaft also benefit from this research work.
The Alpine region as a role model
Settlement areas are more limited in the Alpine region than elsewhere. Michael Grobbauer also cites challenging climatic conditions and limited resources as special challenges in the Alpine region, which once again underlines the need to make the most of the potential of existing buildings.Alpine areas are also particularly affected by climate change.Solutions developed for the Alpine region can serve as a model for other regions: the researchers would like to provide other municipalities with basic principles and offer applied solutions for the structural redensification of settlement areas under the premises of resource and energy efficiency.
Prospects
The research work at the Alpine Building Center offers promising prospects for the future. Its interdisciplinary approaches and simulation applications can help not only the Alpine region, but also other regions in terms of structural redensification and resource efficiency.In the future, the dimension of urban planning and district development will be given greater consideration in order to further strengthen the holistic view of sustainable settlement development.