The SDA Annual Conference 2023: this is how it went
14/12/2023
The end of November brought with itself a very important event: the 5th conference of the Serbian Demolition Association.
This event, which took place in Belgrade on November, 29th, was held under the theme “Deconstruction and Public Interest”. It was prompted by new laws that changed how Construction and Demolition waste is handled. For the first time, rules were set that would stop the practice of discarding this waste wherever it is convenient, and instead require specific locations assigned by local authorities.
The SDA Conference also brought attention to a significant shift in how these activities are carried out. From now on, before any work starts on a building—be it demolition, renovation, or reconstruction—it is necesary to inspect the site for hazardous materials to assess their scope. Based on this assessment, a demolition plan and a plan for what happens to the materials afterwards, like storage, permanent disposal, or reuse, need to be drawn up.
The conference brought attention to the legal framework governing construction and demolition waste, as outlined in our laws regarding construction and environmental protection.
Throughout the conference, key topics revolved around the adoption of circular economy principles in the construction sector, innovative waste storage and recycling models, and the economic efficiency of waste processing.
Presentations emphasized the importance of complying with new regulations, conducting comprehensive assessments before construction work, and the responsibility of various stakeholders, including investors, contractors, inspectors, and local authorities, in managing resulting materials.
The European Circular Economy Awards have another winner!
A significant highlight was the recognition and presentation of outstanding student presentations. The best student paper hailed from Čačak’s FTN, authored by Prof. Dr. Neda Nikolić’s team – Arsenije Stošić, Miloš Ćirković, and Dragana Perišić.
Additionally, the best PhD was credited to Ana Nadaždi from the Faculty of Civil Engineering.
As the SDA puts it:
“These acknowledgements underscored the quality and innovation within the academic realm of the industry.”
