SCABEAC - Sustainable Construction and Build Environment in Arctic Climate
Funders
Project information
Project duration
-
Funded by
Multiple sources
Project coordinator
Other university or unit
Project description
SCABEAC addresses the challenges of sustainable construction in Arctic and northern regions arising from the green transition and large-scale industrial and infrastructure investments. The project builds structured cross-border cooperation between universities, research institutes, construction clusters, and industry in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.
The project is organised into four work packages covering project management and dissemination, cross-border cluster cooperation, business and market support for SMEs, and technical and human resource competence building. University of Oulu plays a key role in the project, particularly in WP4, which focuses on applied research, technology development, and long-term competence building in sustainable, digital, and cold-climate construction.
Project actions
Project Actions and Events
Key events and activities carried out during the final reporting period (September–November 2025):
Conferences and Exhibitions
- BoiKiruna Housing Conference (11–12 November 2025) – Presentation of SCABEAC project and Tiny Villages concept
- Re-Renovate Symposium, Venice – Presentation on sustainable development, establishing connections with other parts of Europe
Workshops and Seminars
- Arctic Rail Workshop (5 November 2025) – Railway maintenance and construction in cold climate conditions
- Coordination of Nordic Building Regulations, Stockholm (27 October 2025) – Working towards a common Nordic building market
- Circular Economy in Renovation (October 2025) – Networking event for companies interested in circular economy
- Lunch Seminar: Healthy, Safe and Pleasant Built Environment (November 2025) – Focus on renovation and repair construction
Industry Events
- Industrial Construction Forum (October 2025) – Organised in cooperation with Centria and University of Oulu
- Builders' Day 2025 (November 2025) – Featuring SSAB presentation on green steel production and utilisation of side streams
- Arctic Circular Economy Summit, Kirkenes – ACCF presentation on sustainable development
Cross-Border Visits and Meetings
- Excursion to Mo i Rana (October 2025) – Visit to the green industrial village with Northern Finnish companies, organised with BusinessOulu
- Technopolis Event, Oulu (30 October 2025) – Ukraine reconstruction/project development and international cooperation
- Land inspections – Site visits to Dundret ski resort (Gällivare) for Tiny Villages potential
Project trainings
Project Training and Competence Building
HIVECON – EIC Pathfinder Proposal
A major joint research proposal submitted on 29 October 2025, representing genuine cross-border research integration developed collaboratively across three countries.
- Funding: ~€4 million EIC Pathfinder
- Partners: University of Oulu, SINTEF, Luleå University of Technology
- Focus: Autonomous robotic swarms and ROS2-BIM orchestration for construction automation
- Demonstration: TRL4 validation planned at Ouluzone testbed
Nordic Joint Master in Timber Construction
A flagship educational initiative for long-term cross-border cooperation between Nordic universities.
- Partners: Luleå University of Technology, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, University of Oulu, Novia UAS
- Status: Nordplus Higher Education application in preparation for early 2026
- Curriculum mapping: University of Oulu identified 18 courses suitable for joint Nordic delivery
Strategic Trend Review: AI in Construction 2021–2025
A comprehensive technology review covering trends in generative design, digital twins, and multi-agent systems based on AIAEC conference materials. The review serves as a technology roadmap for future R&D focus in the Arctic construction sector.
Tiny Villages Workshop Series
A series of workshops exploring how to create Tiny Villages on different sites in Antnäs (Luleå) and Poikkijärvi (Kiruna). Participants included municipalities, entrepreneurs, academia, and house producers.
- Webinar – 9 September 2025
- On-site meeting in Kiruna – 12 November 2025
- Webinar – 5 December 2025
Project results
Below are the lists of the key outputs of the SCABEAC project from University of Oulu (Sustainable Construction and Building Environment in Arctic Climate), including reports, surveys, bibliometric analyses, and technical notes.
1. Report: Standard Connections for CLT Modular Elements
- Description: A comprehensive study on connection techniques for Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) modular elements. The report covers structural bracing, sound insulation, and fire safety regulations, comparing standards across Finland, Sweden, and Norway. It details specific connection types, including anchorage to foundations and connections between apartments.
- Associated Files: CLT_Modular_Element_Standard_Connections_EN.pdf, CLT Tilaelementtien tyyppiliitokset Topi Mätäsaho.pdf
2. Survey: International Course Offering (University of Oulu)
- Description: A mapping of English-taught courses at the University of Oulu Faculty of Technology. The survey identifies courses supporting sustainable construction and Arctic conditions, highlighting collaboration opportunities in circular economy, smart grids, and building physics.
- Associated Files: SCABEAC_Course_Survey_Report.pdf
3. Analysis: Research Collaboration & Bibliometric Overview
- Description: A bibliometric review of construction and built environment research (2020–2023). The analysis maps publications, research themes (e.g., BIM, sustainability, Arctic engineering), and collaboration networks among SCABEAC partners (University of Oulu, UiT, LTU, SINTEF).
- Associated Files: Scabeac Research Collabration.pdf
4. Scientific Article: Challenges and Opportunities in Timber Construction
- Description: A comparative study prioritizing industry professionals' views on the barriers and enablers of timber construction in Finland and Sweden. It highlights key issues such as regulatory compliance, knowledge gaps, environmental sustainability, and aesthetics.
- Associated Files: Preprint Karasu et al Manuscript sent for publication.pdf
5. Scientific Article: A Comparative Prioritisation Study of Finland and Sweden
- Description: A comparative study extending the analysis to include Sweden. It prioritizes industry professionals' views on the barriers and enablers of timber construction in both countries, highlighting differences in expert consensus and market maturity between the two Nordic contexts.
- Associated Files: Preprint Challenges and opportunities in timber construction A comparative prioritisation study of Finland and Sweden.pdf
6. Technical Note: Preparatory Work for WP4
- Description: A technical review produced by SINTEF mapping current technology status and development needs. Topics include Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), BIM, Digital Twins, concrete strengthening, cold climate construction, and circular economy in demolition.
- Associated Files: Technical note_Preparatory work_WP4_SCBEAC_final.pdf