The conversation around sustainability in construction has evolved significantly. The question is no longer whether sustainability matters. Today, the real challenge is how to make it a practical, scalable, and financially viable part of our industry.
This central theme brought together professionals from across the construction, real estate, policy, and advisory sectors during Madaster's recent Connect – Summer Edition, hosted at Cordeel Belgium.
What became clear throughout the afternoon was a strong alignment on direction and ambition. The discussions focused less on why sustainability is important and more on how to successfully implement it in practice.
Key questions explored during the event included:
- How do we translate sustainability objectives into concrete projects?
- How can we make circularity measurable rather than theoretical?
- How do we ensure that regulations provide guidance while remaining workable for businesses?
- How can we build a compelling business case that makes sustainable construction the industry standard?
A highlight of the event was the panel debate featuring Simon Maillet (Cordeel Group), Pauline Bruge (CAP Construction), Gilles Vanvolsem (Belgian Green Building Council), Erik Van Den Broeck (BDO), and Patrice Dresse (Federation of General Building Contractors). The panel shared valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing the Belgian market and discussed the practical steps needed to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable built environment.
Throughout the discussions, one conclusion consistently emerged: better decisions start with better information.
Organizations cannot effectively manage what they do not measure. Likewise, materials cannot retain their value if they remain invisible throughout the building lifecycle.
The event concluded with a clear message from Martijn Oostenrijk: material data should not be viewed as an administrative exercise. Instead, it forms the foundation for future-proof buildings, circular strategies, and new models of value creation.
We would like to thank all participants for their insightful questions, open exchanges, and valuable contributions. A special thank you goes to Cordeel Belgium for their warm hospitality and for providing an inspiring setting for this important conversation, and to Madaster for inviting BGBC to participate as a speaker.
Future-Proof Real Estate, Together