Projet CUBATI

CUBATI

CULTIVATING QUALITY BUILDING: RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR SUSTAINABILITY

The CUBATI project is co-financed by the European Union under the 2014-2020 Italy-Tunisia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme (IEV) and aims to support cooperation between the fields of scientific research and entrepreneurship, to contribute to technological innovation in the construction sector while encouraging innovation in the field of building material production based on processes that valorise local materials and waste from both countries.

CUBÂTI has focused on the construction sector, an activity of considerable importance for the cross-border economy, sustainability and quality of life, while building on the concept of a culture of quality construction and a shared cross-border identity.

Specific objectives

• Support cooperation between the business world and scientific research,

• Contribute to technological innovation in the sustainable construction sector,

• Encourage construction material production chains based on circular economy processes (recycling of renewable materials and waste).

• Mobilise researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals for innovation through the promotion of the CUBATI awards.

Partnership

The implementation of the CUBATI project has been entrusted to seven partners from two countries (Tunisia and Italy), namely:

P01: DEMANDEUR CHEF DE FILE: Università di Palermo Dipartimento di Architettura

• P2: Consorzio Ecodomus Agrigento,

• P03: Consorzio Universitario Provincia di Trapani,

• P04: IEMEST: Istituto Euro Mediterraneo di Scienza e Tecnologia Palermo.

• P05: ENAU: École Nationale d’Architecture et d'Urbanisme Tunis,

• P06: AMVPPC Agence de Mise en Valeur du Patrimoine et de Promotion Culturelle,

• P07: CITET Centre International des Technologies de l'Environnement de Tunis.

Expected results

• The expected results of the CUBATI project include the following:

• Experimentation with building materials linked to shared identity (geomaterials and bio-based materials linked to the circular economy),

• Construction of models and small eco-friendly demonstration buildings,
• Development of a web platform for sharing and developing knowledge and project outputs,
• Mobility of operators; production of publications and strategic documents for the dissemination of a culture of quality construction in the cross-border region.

The components of the CUBATI project

CUBATI project’s realizations

The main actions carried out as part of the CUBATI project:

• Contribution to the organization of the 14th (2022) and 15th (2023) editions of the eco-construction fair in Tunisia, as well as the organization of an eco-construction fair in Italy (in Palermo)

• Development of the eco-construction situation in Tunisia and Italy,
Selection of six recyclable waste materials and testing of bio-based construction materials in CITET laboratories in Tunisia and IEMEST laboratories in Italy. Palm fibres, orange peel, pistachio shells, coffee grounds, etc. were used to produce these materials.

• Development of a CUBATI web platform for knowledge sharing and exchange. The platform can be accessed via the following link: www.cubatinetworkingplatform.com
• Construction of a pilot structure at CITET, an 81m² materials library that will serve as an exhibition space for eco- construction materials. CITET hopes that this exhibition platform will provide young developers with an environment conducive to creativity, exchange and networking, with the aim of promoting the development of eco-construction in Tunisia.

• Production of models to be used for exhibiting materials tested as part of the CUBATI project and promoting the project's activities, even after its completion. These models will be kept in the materials libraries.

• Mobilisation of operators in the eco-construction sector in Tunisia and Italy through the launch of a CUBATI competition. Two Tunisian companies, SOIB (producer of compressed earth bricks) and REG (construction and demolition waste recycling company), were selected as prize-winners of the CUBATI award.

• Preparation of technical brochures capitalising on previous experiences and those currently underway, with a focus on the results of the CUBATI project and, in particular, the achievements of Task Group 3 (TG3).
• Organisation of the final seminar of the CUBATI project in Tunisia on 8 December 2023. This event provided an opportunity to present the achievements of the CUBATI project in Tunisia and Italy, as well as to showcase Tunisian experiences and projects in the eco-construction sector.

Durée de mise en œuvre: 23 mois et 15 jours.
Date de démarrage : 28 octobre 2021
Date de clôture de la mise en œuvre du projet : 15 décembre 2023,
Budget total : 1 376 508,43 € dont 1 238 857,59 € contribution de l’UE,
Budget du CITET : 222 969,99 €