From circular strategies to actions

65 European circular building cases and their decarbonisation potential

Journal article (2023)

Authors

Julia Nußholz Rambøll Management Consulting
Sultan Çetin Real Estate Management - Architecture and the Built Environment
Catherine De Wolf ETH Zürich
Nancy Bocken Maastricht University School of Business and Economics
Research Group
Real Estate Management (Architecture and the Built Environment) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 Julia Nußholz, Sultan Çetin, Leonora Eberhardt, Catherine De Wolf, Nancy Bocken
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2023.200130
Sustainability Climate change Circular economy Circular built environment Carbon emissions Circular buildings
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Department

Management in the Built Environment

Research Group

Real Estate Management

Abstract

The application of the circular economy (CE) in the building industry is critical for achieving the carbon reduction goals defined in the Paris Agreement and is increasingly promoted through European policies. In recent years, CE strategies have been applied and tested in numerous building projects in practice. However, insights into their application and decarbonisation potential are limited. This study analysed and visualised 65 novel real-world cases of new build, renovation, and demolition projects in Europe compiled from academic and grey literature. Cases were analysed regarding the circular solution applied, level of application in buildings, and decarbonisation potential reported, making this study one of the first comprehensive studies on the application and decarbonisation potential of circular strategies in the building industry in practice. The identified challenges of using LCA for CE assessment in buildings are discussed and methodological approaches for future research are suggested.