During the last week of November, Catania once again welcomed the e-SAFE consortium for the 8th Project Meeting. Over two days, project partners reviewed the latest achievements and resolved challenges faced during four years of implementation, setting the stage for the final development year. Hosted by the University of Catania, the meeting provided rich opportunities for discussion and forward-looking plans for the seismic and energy-efficient renovation of buildings in Catania and other earthquake-prone regions across Europe, extending beyond the e-SAFE project’s conclusion.

A Close-Up Look at Innovation: Progress on the Pilot Building in Via Acquicella Porto

A highlight of the first day was the consortium's visit to the pilot building in Via Acquicella Porto, Catania, marking their second visit after the 3rd Project Meeting in 2021. Renovation work is now progressing steadily towards completion. Thanks to the expertise of construction company Gaspare Mirrione Spa, the installation of innovative e-CLT panels, e-PANELS, solar-powered heating and cooling systems, and rooftop heat pumps is transforming the condominium into a model of sustainable and seismic-resilient renovation. The consortium plans to perform the final performance tests in early 2025 once construction is complete.

The Public Event: Bridging Local and European Perspectives on Seismic-Energy Renovation

The second day ended with a public event of the Catania Local Platform, titled “La riqualificazione sismico-energetica del patrimonio costruito: esiti del progetto Horizon 2020 e-SAFE e sviluppi futuri”. Held in the Aula Magna of the Teaching Building at the Città Universitaria of Catania, the session brought together stakeholders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of sustainable building renovation in seismic zones. The event was organized in two sessions, each focusing on key aspects of the project and its broader implications for sustainable building renovation in seismic areas.

Session 1: The e-SAFE Project – Results, Challenges, and Opportunities for Catania

Moderated by Giuseppe Margani, the project coordinator from UNICT, the first session delved into the core achievements and insights of the e-SAFE initiative. Margani kicked off the discussion with an overview of the project outcomes, offering a detailed look at the seismic-energy renovation of the IACP building in Via Acquicella Porto. This presentation set the stage for a deeper understanding of the project's tangible impact on urban regeneration.

Giulia Li Destri Nicosia (UNICT) followed, illustrating the transformative potential of e-SAFE systems for public housing in Catania. Her talk highlighted the scalability of these technologies and their implications for improving living conditions in the city. Adding to the conversation, Vincenzo Costanzo (UNICT) presented an in-depth analysis of how adopting e-SAFE solutions contributes to decarbonization efforts, emphasizing the environmental benefits and opportunities this approach brings to the construction sector.

The session also featured practical case studies from local professionals. Paolo Battiato and Salvo Fiorito shared firsthand experiences of seismic and energy renovations in Sicily and Lazio, demonstrating how these projects are not only technical successes but also contribute to enhancing social value and preserving architectural heritage.

Session 2: Connecting Local Action to European Agendas

The second session broadened the scope, linking the project’s local impact to European-level strategies. Laura Saija, Professor at UNICT and leader of co-design activities within the e-SAFE project, framed the discussion within the wider context of Europe’s ambitions for sustainable and resilient urban development.

A particularly engaging presentation came from Angelo Sicali, Vice President of Federcasa and President of IACP Catania, who shared insights into the evolving strategies for public housing renovation. The session also included a roundtable discussion that explored European opportunities for decarbonizing the construction sector. Panelists brought diverse perspectives to the table:

• Patrizia Giambarveri, Director of IACP Catania, highlighted local challenges and opportunities.
• Michele Russo, President of Epta Prime and member of e-SAFE Advisory Board, highlighted private financing opportunities like ESG loans and public-private partnerships (PPPs) as key tools for entities like IACP to fund innovative seismic and energy-efficient renovations, aligning sustainability with practical investment strategies.
• Paolo La Greca, Deputy Mayor of Catania, emphasized the importance of municipal leadership in fostering sustainable urban transformation.
• Laura Vivani, CEO of Moverim and leader of e-SAFE’s dissemination and exploitation activities, emphasized the critical link between local initiatives and European legislation, encouraging stakeholders to take proactive steps and engage directly with EU funding opportunities to maximize impact.

Official Launch of e-TRAINING

A major milestone of the event was the official launch of e-TRAINING, a hands-on educational initiative designed to equip building professionals with the knowledge and skills to apply e-SAFE technologies effectively. Gianpiero Evola (UNICT, e-SAFE technical coordinator) introduced the program, detailing its structure, content, and the unique opportunities it offers.

The training will debut in Catania, encouraging local professionals to engage directly with the project’s innovative methodologies. For those unable to attend locally, additional sessions are planned in Bologna, Athens, Amsterdam, and Timisoara throughout 2025, ensuring a wider reach across Europe.

Stay tuned for further updates!