Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MULTICARE (Multi-hazard low-carbon resilient technologies and multi-scale digital services for a future-proof, sustainable & user-centred built environment)
Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2025-03-31
The on-going EU-funded MULTICARE project is improving the multi-hazard resilience of our built environment by developing innovative decision-making frameworks and resilient low-carbon technologies that can be easily and sustainably implemented in real buildings. The project is delivering digital tools to support resilience assessment, design and management at multiple scales, enabling informed decisions on materials and technologies for existing and future buildings. In doing so, MULTICARE is supporting the transition to a climate-resilient, sustainable and adaptive built environment in Europe.
• WS2: Performance Requirements and Multi-Hazard Approach
A comprehensive framework has been established to define physical, economic, environmental and social performance indicators for the MULTICARE physical and digital solutions. This phase generated a set of performance targets to guide development and demonstration activities, and defined the overall project concept, including the resilience assessment methodology and data management strategy.
• WS3: Resilience Assessment and Design
Resilience indices, decision-support frameworks, and digital tools - including plug-ins, parametric design tools, and databases of resilient components – have been developed to assess resilience and sustainability at multiple scales, from materials to urban environments. These tools will go on to steer the selection of cost-effective, multi-performance solutions for both new construction and retrofitting, enabling informed design and intervention strategies.
• WS4: Real-Time Monitoring and Response Systems
Real-time digital services have been designed to monitor the long-term performance of materials, components, buildings and urban areas. When implemented in the demo sites, these systems will support digital twinning and predictive maintenance, while also providing early warning and rapid response to enhance occupant safety during events such as floods, earthquakes and heatwaves.
• WS5: Plug & Play Low-Carbon Resilient Modules
Low-carbon resilient technologies - including multi-layer smart façade systems and reversible exoskeleton structures – have been designed to enable modular adaptable implementation. Ongoing prototype development and testing aim to demonstrate high performance across multiple criteria and adaptability to different building typologies and local contexts.
• WS6: Large-Scale Demonstrations
MULTICARE solutions will be deployed across real-life demonstration sites in Italy, the Netherlands and Romania, selected for their diverse climatic conditions, hazard profiles and building types. Baseline assessments have been completed, paving the way for implementation. These demonstrations will validate both the physical (e.g. exoskeletons) and digital (e.g. decision-support tools, monitoring systems) innovations in real-world scenarios, proving their scalability and resilience potential.
MULTICARE is developing a suite of digital tools, including digital libraries, plug-ins, Python codes, parametric tools and a spatial decision support system. These tools are designed to quantify resilience and potential losses of buildings and urban areas due to climate extremes. By providing an easy-to-use platform for resilience assessment, these tools help improve safety and sustainability in mainstream building design, reduce the risk of future hazards and raise awareness of disaster risks. They empower practitioners and policy makers to consider and implement climate-adaptive solutions in a more effective manner.
2. Interoperable Data Management
The project is creating digital services for real-time monitoring, data management and performance optimization. These systems allow for predictive performance analyses and early warnings, providing continuous monitoring to enhance disaster response and long-term resilience. The digital infrastructure improves preparedness by enabling governments and communities to respond effectively to disasters.
3. Low-Carbon, Resilient Technologies
MULTICARE is designing and prototyping low-carbon resilient technologies, such as modular construction systems and façade solutions. These technologies aim to improve occupant comfort and well-being, while enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The implementation of these solutions is expected to reduce mortality and property damage by up to 50% during earthquakes and heatwaves. Moreover, they contribute to faster recovery times (up to 50% reduction), minimizing disruption and enabling quicker restoration of normality after disasters.