This paper was presented in May 2007 at the International Building Council (CIB) Congress in Cape Town in South Africa. Based on several evolutionist economics researches (Saviotti, Gallouj), the paper proposed a socio-eco-technical approach of innovation in the built environment cluster. This cluster was analysed as an innovative sector without any dominant actor and focused on local markets.

Two examples dealing with energy efficient buildings were taken into examples: the French 5000 Solar Houses Programme failure in the 1980’ and the Swiss Minergie label success in the 1990’.

Put on line with the authorization of the Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment.

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