Analysis of the effect of COVID-19 on air pollution: Perspective of the Spanish case

[EN] The pandemic caused by coronavirus COVID-19 is having a worldwide impact that affects health and the economy and indirectly affects air pollution in cities. In Spain, the effect has evolved from being anecdotal in January 2020 to become the second country in Europe with the highest number of cases (614,000 cases by 17/09/2020), which has affected the health system and caused major mobility restrictions. In contrast, COVID-19 has affected air pollution and energy consumption in the country. This article analyzes the indirect effect produced by this pandemic on air pollution, referenced to various stages that occurred in Spain: first stage, without public awareness of COVID-19 impact (mid-January 2020); second is when Spanish Government alerted (late February 2020); and third, after the decree of alarm and mobility restriction of citizens by the government (March 2020) along with the various phases of the de-escalation. The indirect effect produced by this pandemic on air pollution in Spanish cities has been resulted in a decrement of 70% to 80% of average, taking into account dates after the decree of alarm and mobility restriction by the Spanish government (14/03/2020), compared to days prior to that date. Thus, the results of this analysis indicate a significant alteration in air pollutants; these alteration patterns have followed similar paths over different countries worldwide improving the air quality as discussed by Dutheil et al. (Environ Pollut (Barking, Essex: 1987) 263:114466, 2020).This work was supported by the European Union under the project Green Cities for Climate and Water Resilience, Sustainable Economic Growth, Healthy Citizens and Environments with reference 730283 and the framework of Condereff project (Ref. PGI05560Condereff) Construction & demolition waste management policies for improved resource efficiency.Cárcel-Carrasco, J.; Pascual Guillamón, M.; Langa Sanchis, J. (2021). 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A vision on air pollution in cities and the human effect

[EN] The human effect on air quality in cities and the evolution of air pollution is obvious, due to economic activity, vehicle traffic, etc. The situation created indirectly by COVID-19, has caused many countries to impose during certain periods restriction of movement and stoppage of economic activities, which has allowed us to observe the instant effect that occurs on the air quality in cities. This article discusses what the observed effect has been, focusing on the early moments of the pandemic (January 2020 to March 2020), with an analysis of the situation from its origin in China to its arrival in Europe and more specifically the situation created in Spain. After the analysis of the situation, it can be seen the large reduction of pollutants in the air of different cities, and in particular in Spain, which came to reduce about 80%. All this leads us to the observation of how human activity can greatly influence air pollution.Cárcel Carrasco, FJ.; Peñalvo López, E.; Carnero, MC.; Langa Sanchis, J. (2020). A vision on air pollution in cities and the human effect. VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability. 5(2):57-70. https://doi.org/10.4995/vitruvio-ijats.2020.14607OJS57705

Work-based learning system to up-skilling construction workers in wood construction methods for energy efficient buildings

[EN] Nowadays, the use of wood is becoming increasingly relevant in the field of construction and design, and as a result, this material is becoming essential in construction materials market. However, the current skills of workers and apprentices are not up to the new demands of the market, and this is because the knowledge and skills obtained through the WBL do not meet the needs in the workplace for timber constructions and workings. In addition, strict renovation requirements and political measures that seek to stimulate the transformation of existing buildings make this lack of skills even more noticeable. Thus, in this article we will see how this UP-WOOD project proposes to pay attention to the need of improving skills and abilities in this sector, through a work-based learning system VET (Vocational Education and Training), so current  and future demand of efficient energetic solutions can be solved.This work has been conducted within the framework of the UPWOOD project " Up-skilling construction workers in wood construction methods for energy efficient buildings " funded by the European Commission within the Key Action 2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices, reference number 2019-1-AT01-KA202-051488.Cárcel Carrasco, FJ.; Peñalvo López, E.; Albiol Ibáñez, JR.; Langa Sanchis, J. (2022). Work-based learning system to up-skilling construction workers in wood construction methods for energy efficient buildings. En Proceedings INNODOCT/21. International Conference on Innovation, Documentation and Education. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 139-146. https://doi.org/10.4995/INN2021.2021.1342213914

Feasibility Analysis of Renewable Energy Sustainability of a Non-Hazardous Waste Plant

This article analyzes the different materials of the sector in order to achieve an improvement and awareness towards a more sustainable construction. As the fleas of the article, the behavior of these materials and their responses to the phases o construction have been studied. After carrying out the analysis it has been possible to demonstrate that the controlled evolution of certain materials such as the use of Clinker or cementite, significantly improves the context sustainable construction. On the other hand, by replacing cement with other materials such as fly ash or slag, durability can be improved by 50%, which is a high figure related to the sustainable point of view, thus reducing the impact on the environment