SAIE 2009 ends with a slight fall in numbers

Saie 2009, the International Building Exhibition held in Bologna, ended on 31 October amidst signs of optimism.

The show saw the participation of 1,530 exhibitor companies (320 international) and was attended by 166,426 professionals, evidencing a certain degree of dynamism in the building world. The fall in attendance compared to 2008 was very small, around 5%. Interest in the show concentrated mainly on the focus sections of energy efficiency, social housing and innovation, key issues that are crucial for the recovery of the sector.

SAIEnergia, the space in Hall 14 devoted to renewable energy sources and low-energy technologies for sustainable building, attracted large numbers of visitors and the various conferences and seminars were likewise strongly attended.

New features of this year’s event included the international competition SAIESELECTION Low Cost Low Energy Sustainable Housing for design solutions focusing on energy efficiency and social housing, open to young architects under the age of 45 and students, and the Environmental and Social Sustainability Award for Municipalities presented to the most virtuous and forward-looking municipality in terms of energy efficiency and innovation in building.