Shaping Sustainable Places – Development and Construction of a Low-Carbon Built Environment

With circularity a key approach to reducing embodied carbon, how are companies creating the structures and ecosystem to make used materials a viable and economical alternative? In this episode, we take a closer look at how materials that are commonly seen as waste can be turned into valuable resources and become an asset for businesses. This episode's guests: Anders Lendager, founder of Lendager G...

Concrete has been around for more than 2,000 years, and it remains  the construction material of choice for buildings, bridges, tunnels and more. But its popularity means it has a huge environmental impact. What role will concrete play in the future of construction? In this episode we find out how leading companies are taking on one of our most pressing climate challenges and cutting the carbon em...

Recent years have been challenging for property investors, with high interest rates and volatile property values. At the same time, increasing demands for sustainability are adding new pressures. How can an investor today ensure they get the returns they need from their sustainable property portfolio?     We talk with two experts who share their insights into the challenges and opportunities facin...

There are some successful building projects that highlight the global trend towards urban sustainability and the impact of sustainable building design. To find out what it takes to design, construct and operate such a building, we take a closer look at Hyllie Terrass in Malmö, one of the most sustainable office buildings in Sweden. And what have been the major trends in the sustainable project dev...

For many office workers, the post-pandemic years have meant a major transition. The return to the office has meant reintegrating into the social sphere of colleagues and customers, commuting to work, and maybe retiring those very comfortable but not too fashionable track pants. But modern workplaces have raised their game. Picture yourself working in a space that's constructed with your comfort in...

Roads haven't changed much in the last few thousand years. The Romans had the basic idea—a large aggregate covered in smaller stones, topped with something smoother—that we still use today. But the rock used in base and subbase of today's roads, as well as the concrete and asphalt used on the surface, has to be mined and hauled to wherever it's needed. Both are costly and not environmentally frien...

Amongst the most epic structures found on this planet, bridges are the giants. But even these marvels of engineering need a little tender loving care, so that they can serve their communities for decades or centuries to come. In this episode, we explore two exciting bridge projects. Skanska is renovating the George Washington Bridge in New York City, the world's busiest road bridge with 300,000 ve...

Is it realistic to believe that the construction sites of the future will be completely fossil fuel free? In this episode, we examine the benefits of electrifying construction sites and the challenges of achieving zero-emissions in construction sites.     We visit the first fossil fuel free construction site in Sweden, Slakthusområdet i Stockholm and explore the differences between driving an exca...

Many architects agree that there are advantages to building in mass timber.  Trees bind carbon, wooden buildings have shorter construction time, and timber offers superior insulation. So what's impeding the material's widespread adoption? In this episode we explore if mass timber can be a game changer for the industry.    We speak with Andrew Waugh from Waugh Thistleton Architects, UK, whose proje...

Before 2001 there were no global standardized frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and mitigation actions.  The creation of the GHG Protocol then allowed companies to quantify and report their greenhouse gas emissions into categories called 'scopes'.    In this episode of Shaping Sustainable Places, one of the world...

Circularity is one of the most effective strategies for reducing Scope 3 emissions in the construction industry. So how can we push the limits of circularity? In this episode, we visit Prague, capital of Czechia, where we find a perfect example of circularity in action. Circularity is also an important way for property developers to achieve their climate goals. Gustaf Lilliehöök, a partner with in...

In this episode we explore how artificial intelligence, and the next generation of digitalization and automation, are helping the development and construction industry to reduce its environmental and climate impact.  This episode's guests:  Emma Viklund, Innovation Lead at Skanska.  https://se.linkedin.com/in/emma-viklund-a7b98052    Mehdi Nourbakhsh , CEO at YegaTech, and author of Augment It: Ho...

In this episode of Shaping Sustainable Places we discuss what is best: to refurbish an old building and bring it up to modern standards, or knock it down and construct a new low-carbon building instead?  Both sides have their pros and cons.   This episode's guests:  Kjetil Trædal Thorsen , architect and Founding Partner, Snøhetta, and  Ståle Rød , Executive Vice President, Skanska Group.    Learn...

Hurricanes, storms, heatwaves and heavy rain due to climate change are presenting new challenges for communities around the world. Farsighted cities are taking actions now to protect themselves from these sorts of hazards.    This episode features Sean Szatkowski , Executive Vice President and General Manager for Skanska USA Building, and Philip Thörn , Head of Sustainability with insurance compan...

As more of us want to live more sustainably, we take a glimpse into the near-future, where homes generate more energy than they consume over their lifetimes.     In this episode we visit the Norwegian city of Trondheim and meet Ivar Ørnes ,  Kim Bundgård  and  Ingrid Skirstad from Skanska , members of the crew behind the ongoing Powerhouse Lade – a series of almost-ready apartments that among othe...

In this special episode of Shaping Sustainable Places, recorded during Climate Week NYC 2023, we delve into the collaborative spirit driving sustainability in the development and construction sectors. The emphasis is on collective action and shared innovation to accelerate climate-focused initiatives and decarbonize the built environment. We welcome Justin Travlos , Global Head of Responsible Inve...

The market economy is a powerful force in shaping the direction of future innovation. As our societies become more globally conscious we create economic shifts that motivate more climate-conscious business practices. This episode features Magnus Persson , EVP and CFO at Skanska Group, and Thorsten Slytå , Managing Director and Head of Nordic Real Estate at BlackRock . Each is working at the forefr...

The construction and real estate industry has historically been slow to adopt new digital tools. Now, by embracing the latest available technology, we're pushing the industry toward more sustainable construction practices that allow us to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. This episode features Brendan Wallace , Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Fifth Wall , Henrik...

The Covid-19 pandemic forced a radical shift in our understanding of what a healthy workplace is. Now, as we adapt to the new normal of flexible work, we have an opportunity to shape a more sustainable future for the work environment that prioritizes employee health and wellness. This episode features Dr. Whitney Austin Gray , Senior Vice President at International WELL Building Institute , Ewelin...

High Speed Two is a railway project currently under construction in the UK. This massive undertaking aims to strengthen connections between local communities, create economic sustainability, and provide a fast and clean form of transportation across the UK. Tim Smart , Managing Director Phase 2 at HS2 Ltd , Louise Dailly , Head of Social Sustainability at the Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture...

Many people around the world are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprints and live more sustainably. Our homes and communities are essential in shaping a healthy and safe built environment.   This episode features Vanessa Butani , VP of Group Sustainability at Electrolux Group , Guillaume Charny-Brunet , Co-Founder and Head of Ventures at SPACE10 , and Juhani Aspara , Regional Manager at...

Sustainability is a team effort. No organization can achieve carbon neutrality on its own but, by working together, we can enact a holistic plan of sustainability that creates a cleaner, safer and healthier built environment. This episode features Clare de Briere , EVP and Regional Manager at Skanska USA Commercial Development, and Executive Committee Chair at Urban Land Institute Americas ; Crist...

The transportation sector is one of the biggest contributors to global carbon emissions. But in our globalized economy, the need for safe, fast and reliable transportation isn't going away. Any path toward carbon neutrality has to include a strategy that enables people to move freely without compromising the environment. It needs to make transportation more accessible, efficient and sustainable. ...

How can cities prepare for the impact of climate change in ways that also improve social equity? In this episode of Shaping Sustainable Places , we discuss what cities are doing to become more resilient.  This episode features Sabrina Bornstein , Principal and Head of Climate Resilience at Buro Happold ; Christopher Westley , Senior Vice President of Strategic Services at Skanska USA Commercial De...

This episode features Clay Nesler , Founder and CEO of The Nesler Group, LLC, Rune Stene , Managing Director at Powerhouse and Business Developer at Skanska Norway , and Tony Hans , Vice President at CMTA . Each guest offers their perspective on how currently available resources and technologies can be important assets to save energy and  decarbonize  the built environment. - Clay describes what h...