TEUKonzept

TEUKonzept is a planning framework used in German-speaking regions to integrate technical design and environmental considerations in projects. The acronym TEU stands for Technisches und Umweltkonzept, reflecting a combined approach to meet functional requirements while reducing ecological footprints in planning and procurement.

Origin and scope: TEUKonzept emerged in public procurement and infrastructure planning as a way to document how a project achieves technical targets alongside environmental goals. It is commonly applied in infrastructure, construction, energy, and urban development projects, and is frequently requested in tender documents to compare alternatives on multiple dimensions.

Contents: A TEUKonzept typically comprises several interrelated parts. The technical concept details performance, reliability, safety, and maintainability. The environmental concept covers energy use, emissions, resource efficiency, waste management, and lifecycle considerations. Additional elements include risk and compliance assessments, a cost analysis with lifecycle costs, an implementation and maintenance plan, and a monitoring framework to verify outcomes.

Process: The development usually begins with needs assessment and data collection, followed by scenario analysis and stakeholder consultation. The TEUKonzept is then documented, evaluated internally or by external reviewers, and submitted for approval before implementation begins.

Advantages and challenges: The TEUKonzept supports sustainability integration, transparent decision-making, and traceability of requirements. It may require substantial upfront effort, specialized expertise, and high-quality data, and aligning technical and environmental goals can be challenging.

See also: lifecycle assessment, sustainable procurement, integrated planning, environmental impact assessment.