Drivers and challenges for wood-based construction in urban areas

Abstract Wood-based construction (WBC) has gained prominence as a sustainable alternative to traditional construction, offering significant environmental benefits such as carbon storage and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Its importance lies in its potential to contribute to climate change mitigation while supporting economic growth and innovation in the construction industry. Therefore, understanding the drivers and challenges of WBC is essential for its future development. This study, at the first stage, conducted a literature review to identify the key drivers and challenges associated with WBC, categorizing them into environmental, technical, economic, and perception and policy aspects. Then, based on these findings, we conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with WBC experts from Finland in the construction industry, public administration and academia to compare theoretical perspectives with practical insights. Results revealed that literature often focuses on matters such as life-cycle assessments, policy development, and renewable resource management. On the other hand, interviewees emphasize practical concerns like technical feasibility, economic viability, and client perceptions. Climate considerations are acknowledged by interview participants as important but are often viewed as external expectations rather than core business drivers. This study highlights the gap between academic research and industry practice.