Theoretical frameworks of circular economy in construction

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Theoretical Frameworks of Circular Economy in Construction

Introduction to Circular Economy in Construction

The construction industry is a significant contributor to environmental degradation due to its high resource consumption and waste generation. The traditional linear economic model of "take, make, dispose" is prevalent in this sector, leading to substantial environmental impacts. The circular economy (CE) model offers a promising alternative by promoting resource efficiency, waste minimization, and the recirculation of materials .

Key Strategies and Frameworks

Lifecycle Stages and Strategies

A comprehensive theoretical framework for CE in the construction and demolition sector has been developed, emphasizing the importance of waste management and the recirculation of recovered materials. This framework identifies 14 strategies across five lifecycle stages of construction and demolition activities, focusing on the reuse and recycling of materials to minimize environmental impacts.

Holistic and Systematic Approaches

Research highlights the need for a holistic approach to CE in the built environment, integrating new business models that enhance the residual value of materials. A systematic literature review identified five guiding axes for research, emphasizing the importance of minimizing and reusing construction and demolition waste. Government support through subsidies, laws, and tax incentives is crucial for the successful implementation of CE principles.

Ecodesign and Circular Strategies

Aligning circular strategies (CS) with ecodesign can significantly contribute to sustainable development in the construction sector. A systematic review identified 23 essential strategies, including reuse, recycling, design for disassembly, and design for life extension. A proposed framework based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act concept supports the management of trade-offs and facilitates collaborative decision-making.

Pillars and Concepts

Foundational Concepts

The circular economy in construction is built on several foundational concepts, including cradle to cradle, regenerative design, biomimicry, performance economy, industrial ecology, and reverse logistics. These concepts share characteristics with CE and are particularly relevant for environmental protection in the construction industry.

Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation

A proposed framework for CE research in the built environment emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary research and both bottom-up and top-down initiatives. This framework, built around six pillars, has proven valuable in clustering existing initiatives and highlighting missing interdisciplinary links, providing a foundation for future research directions.

Practical Applications and Tools

Collaboration and Supply Chain Integration

Developing circular buildings requires a new process design that integrates various disciplines in the supply chain upfront. A conceptual framework for supply chain collaboration in circular buildings has been developed, focusing on co-creation of ambitious visions, extending responsibilities along the supply chain, and innovating business and ownership models.

Quantitative Tools and Indicators

To monitor progress towards circularity, quantitative tools such as an embodied carbon emissions calculator and databases for waste and circularity indexing of common construction materials have been developed. These tools, along with a comprehensive CE framework, were applied to a construction case study to verify their feasibility and effectiveness.

Knowledge Gaps and Future Research

Identifying Knowledge Gaps

A systematic review identified 155 knowledge gaps in CE research within the construction sector, categorized into seven dimensions: economic, environmental, governmental, methodological, societal, sectoral, and technological. A new framework for CE implementation was proposed to support critical discussion and future research trajectories.

Dynamic Circular Economy Approach

The construction industry faces challenges in embracing CE principles due to its profit-driven nature and conflicting stakeholder expectations. A dynamic circular economy (DCE) approach is proposed to address the diversity of built environment scales and construction stages. This approach emphasizes the importance of material banks, deconstructability, and flexible buildings with adaptive reuse and modularity.

Conclusion

The transition to a circular economy in the construction sector is essential for reducing environmental impacts and promoting sustainable development. Theoretical frameworks and strategies identified in recent research provide valuable insights and tools for implementing CE principles. However, further interdisciplinary research and collaboration among stakeholders are necessary to overcome existing challenges and fully realize the potential of circular economy models in construction.