Valuation Supports Green University: Case Action at Mediterranea Campus in Reggio Calabria

Abstract

Civil society, economies, governments are asking to Universities to find a solution for Global Warming problems. Since they are mainly due to human settlement and continuous development and construction, research strategy has singled out Architecture Passivation or Building Greening as a first solution; thereby establishing as its main goal the start-up of real world prototype works, experimental chantiers or building sites, as well as their implementations and monitoring. Geomatic Valuation University Laboratory (GeVaUL) is carrying out a direct experience in real-world implementation of sustainability, designing a strategy for the Mediterranea University campus greening and “passivation” (= energy efficiency). It is done through careful climatic calculation of academic building thermal behavior, and the consequent economic and physical cost-effectiveness valuation of interventions for passivation, i.e. for radical enhancement of energy efficiency. Knowledge of cost-effectiveness valuation has been applied to architectures i.e. buildings or facilities of University Campus in Reggio Calabria. GeVaUL designed greening and building insulation obtained by using ecological cork and bio-ecological lime plaster with impressive well-being regulatory power. Technical Bodies of Central State (Ministry of Industry) and Regional Governments found this approach innovative and appropriate. They are investing in passivation of some University buildings using bio-ecological cork and natural lime plaster, and providing investment capital. Furthermore real world bio - ecological sustainable retrofitting sites have been set up for selected University buildings. Evidence gained thanks to the above experimentation has been applied to simulate passivation of the entire Latin Quarter area (surrounding the University), producing relevant impact with potential influence on local and regional economy.