Among the main points raised were the shortage of skilled labour, the rising costs of materials and the bureaucracy associated with licensing, which compromise the agility and efficiency of the sector. For the architect, the solution lies in the introduction of new technologies and the industrialisation of construction processes, reconciling innovation with sustainability.

"It is possible to reconcile comfort and technology with less invasive and more sustainable construction processes. The example is in my own rammed earth house: a traditional construction that combines modernity, energy efficiency and integration into the landscape", reveals Benjamim Pereira.

The LNEC Lisbon Conference will take place on October 8 and 9, 2025.

Franco Caruso highlighted topics such as the circularity of construction materials, the reduction of carbon emissions and the technological integration of road infrastructure with urban mobility. He also presented Brisa's efforts to create a national electric charging network and regenerative biodiversity management in areas affected by motorways: "The main challenge is also the main innovation: making a clear decision to take action. Only then can we transform the sector, design viable solutions and ensure that sustainability is a reality and not just an intention".

The LNEC Lisbon Conference will take place on October 8 and 9, 2025.

He highlighted the importance of industrialisation and digitalisation in construction, pointing to specific examples already implemented by Casais in Portugal and abroad. The goal, he explained, is to make the sector more efficient, sustainable and attractive to new generations, while ensuring quality of life for building users.

"We believe that the future of construction lies in combining efficiency, technology and sustainability. Building buildings should be like assembling a car or a Lego piece: faster, smarter and with less environmental impact", said André Rocha.

The LNEC Lisbon Conference will take place on October 8 and 9, 2025.

For the architect, “the construction sector is currently undergoing a real paradigm shift, in which sustainability, digitization, and affordable housing are unavoidable challenges.” The episode previews some of the topics that DST will be presenting on October 8 and 9 at LNEC.

The LNEC Lisbon Conference will take place on October 8 and 9, 2025.

For the president of Metro, “the rationale of sufficiency must be the model of the present, not the future.” Maria Helena Campos also highlighted the Metro's investments in innovation, maintenance, and new fleets, ensuring energy efficiency and greater comfort for passengers. Meanwhile, she also shared with us the news that the first new carriages are expected to start running in the first trimester of next year on the Blue Line. The goal, she says, is to align urban mobility and sustainability on the same path.

The LNEC Lisbon Conference will take place on October 8 and 9, 2025.

"Rehabilitation is a more sustainable solution than building from scratch, preserving identity and reducing the ecological footprint", she said, arguing that conservation should be seen as an opportunity. For the archaeologist, intervening in historical heritage is also a way of strengthening the resilience of cities and enhancing their collective memory.

The LNEC Lisbon Conference will take place on October 8 and 9, 2025.

The conversation also addressed the importance of innovation and technology—from drones to real-time monitoring systems—in making the sector more efficient and attractive to new generations.

The LNEC Lisbon Conference will take place on October 8 and 9, 2025.

The current Director of Operations, who has been with the company since 1994, pointed to sustainability, technological innovation, and labor shortages as the main challenges facing the sector. He also stressed that companies need to invest in more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions. "The future is being built today: we have to reduce our environmental footprint, invest in efficient solutions, and use technology to do more with less", he said.

In this insightful conversation, we explore the main challenges shaping the construction sector - from climate urgency and energy transition to technological innovation, social responsibility, and the creation of smarter, more sustainable cities.