CIB is pleased to announce the winner of the CIB Sebestyén Future Leaders Award 2024 is Politecnico di Milano student chapter.
The winning project aims to enhance knowledge and skills through hosting workshops on ‘Digital Tools for Circular Economy in the Construction Sector‘.
The award is named after the late Prof. Gyula Sebestyén, former CIB President (1971-74) and Secretary General (1980-1993), and was launched as the CIB Gyula Sebestyén Award in 2002.
The winning team
The team, led by Prof. Andrea Giovanni Mainini, comprises three active PhD candidates engaged in research on the Circular Economy and Digital Tools in the built environment, affiliated with the Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering (DABC) at Politecnico di Milano: Alireza Fereydooni Eftekhari, Elena Casolari, and Mina Sadat Orooje.
Project outline
The project aims to enhance knowledge, develop skills and familiarize participants with sustainable practices, via focusing on Circular Economy principles supported by Digital Tools. This initiative includes three interactive hybrid sessions: a webinar, a boot camp, and a co-design event, all designed to foster a collaborative environment. Participants will benefit from the insights of international experts from academia and industry, gaining practical tools to implement Circular Economy strategies. Beyond scientific and technical knowledge, the workshop series will also improve participants’ soft skills, particularly their ability to engage in critical thinking and effective group collaboration.
On winning the CIB Sebestyén Future Leaders Award 2024, Alireza Fereydooni Eftekhari, on behalf of the team said:
“The circular economy is not simply an objective to be achieved; rather, it represents a moral imperative which must be embraced in order to ensure the preservation of our environmental heritage for future generations.”
Judges views
All submitted proposals were reviewed by a panel, and here’s the highlights of what they had to say on the Politecnico di Milano proposal:
The proposal demonstrates a high level of professionalism and clarity.
The proposal is highly innovative, detailed and well presented
A well-constructed and thoughtful application which clearly outlines the benefits of digital tools. The standout for this proposal is using the digital tools on a specific issue that the building and construction industry grapple with. It is good to see concepts of co-design, collaboration and defined outcomes throughout.
Significance and impact of the winning proposal
The significance of the workshop series extends far beyond its immediate participants, encompassing broader implications, considering the diversity of participants from the construction industry, the university, and society at large. By equipping professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools to implement circular economy principles in construction projects, the workshop series has the potential to catalyze a transformative shift towards sustainable and regenerative practices within the industry. The adoption of digital tools for material management, waste reduction, and resource optimization holds promise for improving project efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing the resilience of built infrastructure. Moreover, by fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building, the workshop series nurtures a community of practice committed to advancing sustainability goals and driving innovation in construction. Ultimately, the impact of the workshop series extends beyond the confines of individual projects, contributing to the broader transition towards a circular economy and a more sustainable future for generations to come.
The workshop is expected to reach several professionals from the building and construction industry located worldwide. The online mode and the workshop time schedule are defined to match the working schedules of participants. The impact of the workshop will be assessed through comparative surveys on the number of participants, and initial and final level of knowledge on circular economy. Moreover, a second survey will be conducted to understand the preferred communication channels and the most interested audience for future dissemination activities.
Proposal conclusion
In conclusion, the originality, creativity, significance, and potential impact of the proposed workshop series underscore its importance as a catalyst for change within the construction industry. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and promoting sustainable practices, the workshop series aims to inspire and empower a new generation of leaders committed to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable built environment.
The team will report on the project as it progresses.
