Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment
What is CEBE?
The research programme Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment (CEBE) has been established to create new knowledge and solutions for a sustainable building sector within planetary boundaries.
CEBE brings together Aalborg University, Aarhus University, the Technical University of Denmark, and the University of Southern Denmark in a partnership designed to realise this potential. Supported by a one billion DKK grant from the Villum Foundation, the initiative mobilises leading expertise to advance research, strengthen research‑based education, accelerate innovation, and enhance international collaboration.
CEBE provides a unified platform that ensures this knowledge is translated into practical solutions, supporting the green transition of the built environment and strengthening the sector’s capacity to deliver sustainable change.
Vision
A science-based circular, low-carbon and resilient built environment within planetary boundaries.
The 7 Research fields
1. Assessing and measuring sustainability
How can we accurately measure the climate and environmental impact of the entire built environment – both what we build new and what already exists?
This research field develops new methods for assessing emissions, environmental effects and resource use across buildings and infrastructure throughout their full life cycle. The goal is to create precise, dynamic models that support decision making for all types of interventions in the built environment and help the sector meet absolute sustainability targets. Whether through building new, renovating and transforming what already stands.
Contact
Harpa Birgisdottir, Professor, Aalborg University
Mail: hbi@build.aau.dk
Tel.: +45 51 90 48 45
2. Design for regeneration, circularity and longevity
How do we design buildings that has a regenerative environmental impact?
This research area co-creates new methods for design and construction of building with a regenerative environmental impact while ensuring safe, healthy and comfortable indoor environments in changing climates. The aim is to explore how to design and construct robust and long-lasting buildings with components and systems that can be recirculated repeatedly.
Contact
Steffen Petersen, Professor, Aarhus University
Mail: stp@cae.au.dk
Tel.: +45 41 89 33 47
3. Low carbon and robust construction materials
How can we reduce the construction sector’s massive use of materials?
Researchers in this field work to develop and test new low-carbon building materials. From reused products and products made with recycled resources to regenerative materials with a far smaller CO₂ footprint, while still meeting the required strength and durability standards.
Contact
Lisbeth M. Ottosen, Professor, Technical University of Denmark
Mail: limo@dtu.dk
Tlf.: +45 25 22 60 / +45 51 50 00 40
4. Digitalisation and automation
How can digitalisation and automation reduce the environmental impact of construction while increasing performance?
This research field advances construction robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and computational modelling as tools to intelligently acquire and manage data, build with lower embodied carbon, and reduce resource extraction throughout the construction lifecycle. The goal is to accelerate low-carbon and circular construction by turning data, carbon metrics, and material intelligence into actionable design and construction decisions.
Contact
Roberto Naboni, Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark
Mail: ron@iti.sdu.dk
Tel.: +45 65 50 75 21
5. Climate resilient and adaptive infrastructure
How do we prepare our infrastructure for more storms, cloudbursts and flooding?
This research area develops methods and technologies that make roads, bridges, ports and coastal protection more resilient, including nature-based solutions, upgrades to existing structures, advanced monitoring and improved emergency response strategies.
Contact Erik Damgaard Christensen, Professor, Technical University of Denmark Mail: edch@dtu.dk Tel.: +45 25 13 98 / +45 40 21 91 84
6. Suffiency, well-being and energy efficiency
How can we create buildings that support health and well-being while using fewer resources?
Sustainable construction is not only about reducing CO₂ emissions, but it also concerns how buildings influence people’s comfort, health and everyday lives. This field brings together principles of “sufficiency” with research on energy use, indoor climate and comfort to ensure that we can live, thrive and work safely with a smaller resource footprint.
Contact
Kirsten Gram-Hanssen, Professor, Aalborg University
Mail: kgh@build.aau.dk
Tel.: +45 23 60 56 53
7. Extending the life of the built environment
How can we make better use of the buildings we already have?
New construction carries a high climate cost, so extending the life of existing structures is essential. This field develops methods to assess building condition, predict lifespan, identify suitable changes of use and support more sustainable renovation practices.
Contact
Christos Georgakis, Professor, Aarhus University
Mail: cg@cae.au.dk
Tel.: +45 51 15 74 78
Why CEBE?
Because with the right knowledge and capacity, the sector has the potential to lead the way towards a more sustainably built environment and demonstrate how civil engineering can contribute meaningfully to national climate goals and global sustainability ambitions.
CEBE is an investment in a brighter future where the built environment contributes positively to society, operates within planetary boundaries, and continues to evolve through research and industry collaboration.
Let’s work together for lasting impact
CEBE is built on the belief that meaningful progress happens when knowledge, talent and ideas are shared. We welcome collaboration across the full spectrum of the construction ecosystem, including researchers, industry partners, public organisations, foundations, and students.
Our ambition is to create an open, dynamic environment where new insights can be developed, tested and translated into practice. By engaging broadly, we strengthen the impact of our research and support innovation across the value chain
Follow our work at CEBE
Stay updated on new research, activities and developments across CEBE. On LinkedIn, we share highlights from our projects, collaborations and events, along with insights into the people and work that drive our research forward.
A Villum Foundation Research Programme 2026 – 2035