Northumbria University secures £250,000 in research funding to enhance sustainability in the construction industry through AI technologies.

The project will develop “AI-driven decision-support systems” to help construction managers identify waste generation points, implement effective handling strategies, and assess project sustainability.

Northumbria University said the systems will measure waste handling efficiency, resource utilisation, and adherence to sustainable practices.

The £250,000 of research funding was secured in the latest Horizon MSCA call from the European Commission,

The project, led by Dr Pablo Martinez Rodriguez from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria, aims to improve waste recycling efficiency, reduce landfill dependency, and promote circular economy principles across the globe.

Commenting on the project, Dr Martinez said: “Sustainable construction is essential for addressing global environmental challenges.

“Our research harnesses AI to precisely track waste generation, optimise resource usage, and provide construction managers with real-time, data-driven insights to enhance waste management efficiency.”

By promoting circular economy principles, we aim to catalyse a global shift toward sustainable construction practices.

The research will also aim to establish best practices, industry guidelines, and policy frameworks to facilitate the adoption of sustainable construction methods.

The University said it will focus on materials reuse and designing buildings for disassembly and reassembly to align with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.

This latest project follows existing research by Dr Martinez Rodriguez and Dr Osama Mohsen from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia into how AI can tackle construction waste in the UK and Saudi.

Dr Martinez added: “By promoting circular economy principles, we aim to catalyse a global shift toward sustainable construction practices.

“This research will not only benefit the UK and EU but also set a benchmark for responsible construction worldwide.”

Northumbria University was recently awarded £9 million by UK Research and Innovation to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training in the field of AI.

Known as the Citizen-Centred AI (CCAI), it focuses on the inclusion of citizens in the design and evaluation of AI.

 

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