A3-0054/94

Resolution on the use of bioclimatic construction technology for residential buildings and work premises

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motions for resolutions by:

(a)Mr Brito on the use of bioclimatic construction technology for residential buildings and work premises (B3-0129/93),

(b)Mr Killilea on radon gas levels in houses in the West of Ireland (B3-0460/92),

-having regard to its resolution of 19 January 1993 on the promotion of renewable forms of energy,

-having regard to Rule 45 of the Rules of Procedure,

-having delegated power of decision, pursuant to Rule 52 of its Rules of Procedure, to the Committee on Energy, Research and Technology,

-having regard to the report of the Committee of Energy, Research and Technology (A3-0054/94),

A.mindful of the considerable energy savings to be made by constructing buildings or refurbishing existing ones to designs which use as much local renewable energy as possible,

B.mindful of the positive contribution which this type of construction makes towards reducing the gas emissions which are responsible for the greenhouse effect,

C.mindful of the state of decay of some urban areas as regards both the structures and the inhabitants' quality of life,

D.whereas the building industry is a leading sector in the Union economy with a turnover of ECU 400 billion a year and high levels of employment,

E.whereas respect for the aesthetic element is essential for the maintenance of the Union's cultural heritage,

F.mindful of the beneficial indirect educational effect which the use of these buildings may have on the general public in the Union, and especially young people, by making them conscious participants in natural energy cycles,

G.considering that the concept of town-planning ought to include the rational use of energy as well as the ecological compatibility of materials,

H.congratulating DG XVII/C/2 of the Commission for its study into opportunities for third-party finance and hoping it will inform Parliament of the outcome of the congress held in Lisbon on 28-30 October 1993 on this subject,

I.congratulating DG XII/F/4 of the Commission on the quality of its work on renewable energy sources and particularly for its involvement of world-renowned architects in projects such as the rebuilding of the Reichstag,

1.Considers bioclimatic architecture to be a vital means of effecting energy savings and creating new employment;

2.Considers it essential to promote and develop a new building culture which is conscious of the need to protect the environment, is aware of the energy cycles of the ecosystem and which employs the design principles of bioclimatic architecture;

3.Attaches great importance to the training of a new generation of designers, architects and builders so that they should be sufficiently well versed in the aspects to be able to apply these principles in professional practice;

4.Requests faculties of architecture in the universities of the Union to introduce compulsory courses on bioclimatic architecture;

5.Calls on the Commission to draw up the necessary rules for the introduction of a European quality mark for building materials, with certification being entrusted to the JRC;

6.Calls on the Commission to draw up a study in the shortest time possible:

-on the cost/benefit ratio of refurbishing the existing stock of buildings and the construction of new buildings in accordance with the principles of bioclimatic architecture and the rational use of energy,

-on the quantity of direct and indirect employment of both skilled and non-skilled labour which could be created by this initiative in the building sector;

7.Calls on the Commission to bring forward a proposal for a directive to lay down compulsory standards on the use of new technologies and building materials and concepts as described in this resolution;

8.Calls on the Commission to harmonize the criteria for assessing the quality of a building under the following headings:

-the presence of toxic gases (e.g. radon)

-the effect of the 'metal cage' on natural or artificial electromagnetic phenomena

-the presence of toxic materials (paints, glues, asbestos, formaldehyde, solvents, etc.)

-the building's capacity to change the air and remove humidity and the alternative solutions employed;

9.Asks the Commission to bear these factors in mind when preparing specific programmes under the IVth Framework Programme;

10.Calls on the Commission to prepare regulations on invitations to tender for the construction of public buildings to make compulsory the use of the principles of bioclimatic architecture;

11.Considers that the most advantageous form of funding this operation is 'third-party finance';

12.Calls on the Commission to introduce the necessary funding for high-profile pilot schemes for the refurbishing of the existing stock of buildings and new construction;

13.Calls on the EIB to extend its list of soft loan projects to include large-scale projects for the refurbishing of the existing stock of buildings and the construction of new units in accordance with the principles of bioclimatic architecture;

14.Calls on the Commission to consult companies and national organizations already operating in this field such as IBN in Germany and INBAR in Italy;

15.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, building workers' unions, the association of builders of the countries of the Union and the deans of the architecture faculties in the Union.