The Future of Wood Construction: Opportunities and Barriers Based on Surveys in Europe and Chile

Ewa Leszczyszyn, Henrik Heräjärvi, Erkki Verkasalo, Javier Garcia-Jaca, Gerardo Araya-Letelier, Jean-Denis Lanvin, Gabriela Bidzińska, Dobrochna Augustyniak-Wysocka, Uwe Kies, Alex Calvillo, Margareta Wahlströmh and Jean-Luc Kouyoumji
Additional contact information
Ewa Leszczyszyn: Research Group of Strategic Analyses for the Wood Industry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Poznan Institute of Technology, 61-755 Poznan, Poland
Henrik Heräjärvi: Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 80100 Joensuu, Finland
Erkki Verkasalo: Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 80100 Joensuu, Finland
Javier Garcia-Jaca: TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Área Anardi 5, 20730 Azpeitia, Spain
Gerardo Araya-Letelier: School of Civil Construction, Faculty of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 7820436, Chile
Jean-Denis Lanvin: Research Unit, Wooden Building Department, Institut Technologique FCBA, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Gabriela Bidzińska: Research Group of Strategic Analyses for the Wood Industry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Poznan Institute of Technology, 61-755 Poznan, Poland
Dobrochna Augustyniak-Wysocka: Research Group of Strategic Analyses for the Wood Industry, Łukasiewicz Research Network—Poznan Institute of Technology, 61-755 Poznan, Poland
Uwe Kies: InnovaWood Asbl, The European Forestry House 66, Rue du Luxembourg, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Alex Calvillo: BASKEGUR, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Kanala Bidea, Edificio 103, 48170 Zamudio, Spain
Margareta Wahlströmh: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Vuorimiehentie 2K, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Jean-Luc Kouyoumji: Research Unit, Wooden Building Department, Institut Technologique FCBA, 33000 Bordeaux, France

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-29

Abstract: The demand for wood has increased in recent years due to new technical possibilities and environmental concerns. This paper provides an analysis of the factors that affect the use of wood in the construction sector, and an assessment of their importance in individual countries and for groups of stakeholders. The study covers the technical, societal, political, economic, and gender aspects of wood construction, with the aim of increasing global understanding regarding national differences, the current situation, and the potential for further development. The subject was investigated using a survey, and the most important opportunities for and barriers to growth in the use of wood in the construction sector were selected, following a statistical analysis. The results indicate strong regional and cultural differences regarding the acceptance of some of the opportunities and barriers related to the development of wood construction. The findings indicate that there is a need to promote wood construction based on its technical and economic benefits rather than its societal ones. On the other hand, the current societal barriers should be addressed as a priority, together with the establishment of common and harmonized policies. The results of this study, therefore, will contribute to the generation of regional-sensitive information that can be useful for policymakers when updating the building codes in their individual countries.

Keywords: wood sector; construction; opportunities; barriers; politics; international survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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