Potenziale und Herausforderungen des nachhaltigen Holzbaus

Abstract

In an era where climate change and the need for sustainable development practices are becoming increasingly urgent, sustainable timber construction presents a promising alternative to conventional building methods. This bachelor thesis examines how current regulations in timber construction in Austria influence the economic and ecological aspects of construction projects and to what extent adjustments to these regulations could enhance the sustainability and efficiency of timber construction. The research question aims to unravel the interactions between existing legal provisions and their practical implementation in timber construction, thereby laying the groundwork for potential reforms that could promote and make timber construction more sustainable. Through an innovative combination of in-depth literature review and qualitative, semistructured expert interviews, the thesis paints a detailed picture of the current situation and the challenges faced by stakeholders in the construction industry. The literature review not only covers the theoretical foundations and existing knowledge on sustainable timber construction but also serves as a springboard for the empirical investigation that provides deeper insights into the real impacts of legislation. Interviews with leading experts from the construction industry and related disciplines illuminate the various perspectives and experiences regarding the effectiveness, limitations, and possible improvements of current regulations. The findings of the thesis reveal that although timber construction has significant potential to reduce the ecological footprint, restrictive and sometimes outdated regulations inhibit its spread and development. It is argued that targeted legislative adjustments, based on an improved scientific basis and the needs of practice, could significantly enhance not only the ecological sustainability but also the economic attractiveness of timber construction.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Harald Dobernig (Supervisor)