Programme

The opening lecture will present key insights into ongoing global climate change and contextualize them for the specific conditions of the Czech Republic. Miroslav Trnka will outline the current trends in temperature, precipitation, and extreme events such as droughts and flash floods, and demonstrate how these trends impact the environments in which we design and operate buildings. The lecture will provide a factual foundation for the subsequent discussion on how to address climate challenges in planning resilient and sustainable construction.

Nick Tyler will present how the internal environment of buildings—physical, sensory and cognitive —affects the comfort, health, behaviour and wellbeing of the people who spend time in the space. In the context of climate change, he will explain why it is essential to design spaces that respond to these changes while promoting people’s well-being and safety. The lecture will offer insights based on research conducted in the unique PEARL experimental laboratory.

Sekyra Group is currently developing the largest city-shaping projects in Prague. Using the central phase of Rohan City, designed by the world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, and the first phase of the Žižkov City project, we will demonstrate how to create districts that offer a high quality of life not only today, but will also remain resilient under changing climatic conditions in the decades to come.

Based on a report co-developed by Saint-Gobain and Arup, this presentation will focus on how climate change is transforming requirements for construction products. It will highlight the shift from standalone products to integrated, performance-driven systems, the role of the building envelope as the first line of defense, and the need to combine short-term adaptation with long-term mitigation through collaboration across the value chain.

Modern buildings must integrate energy efficiency, climate resilience, and cybersecurity. Increasing digitalization of cooling, ventilation, and energy management systems introduces risks that can directly affect building performance, especially during climate extremes or grid instability. This talk outlines how EPBD 2024, NIS2, and the Cyber Resilience Act will shape the design and operation of intelligent buildings, and why cybersecurity is a key element of truly smart and sustainable solutions.

In this lecture, Moein Nodehi explores how architecture inspired by natural ecosystems can help buildings and cities respond to today’s environmental challenges. Through real projects and built examples, he shows how buildings can collect and reuse water, regulate temperature naturally, improve comfort, and support biodiversity while reducing dependence on conventional infrastructure. The talk focuses on designing with natural systems from the earliest stages, creating buildings and urban environments that are more resilient, efficient, and better prepared for challenges such as heat, water scarcity, and extreme weather.

It is a fundamental prerequisite for a high quality of life in a changing climate. Without greenery, cities overheat; with greenery, they can breathe. We all share this experience, yet we often struggle to clearly name and fully appreciate the benefits of blue-green infrastructure. To what extent can it reduce temperatures and improve air and water quality, as well as mental well-being? Do properties with green infrastructure have a higher value? And how can we best begin and continue its implementation?

Why do banks systematically take environmental parameters into account when financing buildings? Primarily due to risk management, protection of collateral value, and regulatory requirements set by the European Banking Authority and the European Central Bank. ESG data are now an integral part of the credit process and influence banks’ lending appetite, pricing, and the availability of financing depending on a project’s energy performance and carbon footprint. The key benchmark for green financing is the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities.

How can the financial sector responsibly respond to the challenges of climate change through green bonds and sustainable finance?