From water supplies to energy production, roads to bridges, infrastructure plays an essential role in our day-to-day lives. Without finding ways to improve it, we will not be able to face future environmental concerns. That is why Concrete Dialogue 2017: Renewing Europe’s infrastructure: needs, challenges and opportunities debated and addressed the infrastructure challenges in Europe and identified sustainable solutions for the future.
The event hashtag became a trending topic in Belgium, thanks to everyone's engagement. Check out the twitter debate and some photos from the event: #ConcreteDialogue2017 @ConcreteDialog
The event was held at the Square in Brussels on 21 November. The scene was set by Gwenole Cozigou, Director at DG GROW, European Commission who shared his views on the importance of investing in infrastructure, seen as 'An enabling instrument for industrial development’.
Speakers then provided their views on:
· 'The Infrastructure renewal challenge’: needs, opportunities and solutions
· ‘Leading on sustainable infrastructure’: how can the concrete industry contribute to the ‘sustainability mix’
Presentations:
- Solenn Craff, Senior Consultant, Ernst & Young
- Laure Blanchard-Brunac, Adviser to the Director Treasury and financial operations, DG ECFIN, European Commission
- Davide Stronati, Group Sustainability Manager, Mott MacDonald
- Bauke Lobbezoo, Director, Strukton Civil Projects: The Koning Willem-Alexander tunnel in Maastricht
- Koen Coppenholle, The Concrete Initiative
- Sebastian Spaun, Managing Director, Association of the Austrian Cement Industry (VÖZ)
Download the
agenda here, for more information about the panels and speakers.
The floor was then handed to participants, with roundtables debates allowing each and everyone to discuss and reflect on what they feel we need to do to encourage infrastructure decision-makers.The outcomes from these roundtables will feed into the work which The Concrete Initiative, in conjunction with the wider construction industry, plans to take forward in 2018 and beyond.
The exhibition was a huge success, showing the benefits of concrete in terms of innovation, sustainability, carbon and energy efficiency. It gave us the opportunity to share with everyone how concrete keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer, and how it protects you in the event of a storm, flooding or a fire.
Photos from the event are available here.
