description

The approval process of infrastructure projects with the environmental impact assessment (UVP) as part
of it is in tension between economy and ecology. It influences the time to realise necessary infrastructure in Germany. The approvals and UVP is carried out based on a vague and controversial state of the plan and limits technical options and procedural details on an early project stage so that innovative and economical alternative solutions in the further project realization are hindered. A project life cycle accompanying and holistic assessment of the environmental impact can not be achieved with the current methods and approval process. Often substantial construction and operational impacts, especially in relation to the consumption of
resources, are not involved, or are overshadowed by other concerns, what prevents a holistic approach.
Other shortcomings in current construction projects are partly inadequate participation of experts and
public and the lack of ecological expertise in the implementation and environmental protection measures.
The core objective of the research project, is a basic management model (for tunnel projects as example)
to develop the decision-making processes in all phases of the project by a continuous and continuing
coverage and balancing of economic and ecological concerns to support the minimization of environmental impacts and economic reasonable project realisation. The focus is on the decision points with involved players, the environmental concerns to be taken into account, responsibilities and controls, information transfer and continuous data collection on economic and environmental indicators.