The built environment accounts for almost 40 percent of global carbon emissions. But that big number represents a huge opportunity. In this episode of Shaping Sustainable Places, we take a closer look at how turning buildings into intelligent, networked energy storage makes them more resilient, as well as improving the efficiency and reliability of the power grid as a whole. Guests in this episode: Henrik Ahnström, Director of Product, Process and Innovation within Skanska's commercial...

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 Group in Copenhagen, Denmark Barbro Brattström Grujovic, Business Developer, Skanska Sweden, SIS

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 emissions from concrete production. Guests in this episode Karin Comstedt Webb, Senior Vice...

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 facing real estate investors right now, both in Europe and the United States.    This episode’s...

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 development construction space over the past year? As we look back over our first two seasons of the...

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 mind, with cleaner air than your own home, with biophilic design bringing nature indoors,...

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 friendly. But now researchers are looking into cheaper, more sustainable, and smarter ways to build...

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 vehicles crossing every day. We visit the bridge to find out what the challenges are in such a major...

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 excavator powered by diesel and an excavator powered by electricity.  James Bailey, Executive Vice...

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 projects have included Murray Grove, the world’s first all- timber residential tower. Andrew is an...

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’s top experts @Pankaj Bhatia explains the surprising story of how the scope structure came...

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 investment platform Urban Partners, explains what it takes to scale up circularity in the...

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: How Architecture, Engineering and Construction Leaders Leverage Data and Artificial...

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 more at Foresight.    Skanska is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any...

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 company IF.    Sean shares how Hurricane Sandy in 2012 was a wake-up call for New Yorkers, and what’s...

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 other things will produce more renewable energy than they consume during their entire life span.     And...

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 Investments at AXA IM Alts, Lena Hök, Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation at...

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 forefront of the changing economic landscape relating to sustainability. Thorsten discusses how good...

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 Ahnström, Director of Development at Skanska Commercial Development Nordic, and Stacy Smedley,...

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, Ewelina Kałużna, Head of Strategic Workplace Solutions Advisory CEE at Skanska and Managing Director at...

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, David Ode, TBM Tunnel Superintendent HS2 at Skanska, and Fiona O’Riordan, Assistant Civil Engineer...

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 Skanska. Each offers insights into how to make sustainable living more accessible on the individual...

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; Cristina Gamboa, CEO at the World Green Building Council; and Sylvester Turner, Mayor of...