The United Way Towards Sustainable Construction in Poland
On 14-15 November 2024, the 6th edition of the International Conference ‘Air Quality and Energy Efficiency 2024’ took place in Krakow, organised by the Malopolska Centre for Energy-Efficient Construction of the Krakow University of Technology in cooperation with the Department of Environment of the Marshal’s Office of the Malopolska Region. It was a key event in the framework of the Krakow Scientific Conferences, dedicated to climate-neutral construction.
Day 1 – Lectures and panel discussions
The first day of the conference was filled with lectures and debates that explored:
- Legal and technical aspects of sustainable construction
- Financing climate investments
- Panel discussion entitled. ‘Energy self-sufficiency of Polish local authorities on the basis of RES – a pipe dream or a realistic goal?’. The discussion, moderated by Jacek Biskupski, Ph.D., brought together specialists from various sectors to present perspectives and challenges related to RES at the local level. The panellist was a representative of the Marshal’s Office, Justyna Mazurkiewicz, Head of the Climate Team in the Environment Department.
Day 2 – Study visits
The second day was spent on study visits that demonstrated the practical application of the solutions discussed:
- Thermomodernisation of the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków – presentation of the modernisation of a historic building while preserving its historical value.
- The Environmental Aerodynamics Laboratory of the Cracow University of Technology and the ecological estate in Bibice – modern solutions for energy saving and environmental protection implemented by the AKOPOL company.
These visits showed how to combine modern technology with the need to protect the environment and cultural values.
Importance of conferences
The event focused on strategic aspects of climate-neutral construction, covering:
- New investments and innovative technologies
- Thermo-modernisation as a means of improving energy efficiency
- Historic preservation in the context of environmentally compatible modernisation
The discussions and presentations were a valuable source of inspiration for representatives of local authorities, designers and contractors, providing knowledge and guidance useful at both national and international levels.
The conference was another step in promoting sustainable construction in Poland.
