Talking circularity - the influence of actors on the building process

A study into actor networks and influence on decision-making regarding the implementation of circularity into the building process.

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

D.P. Gerding Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Contributors

E.M. Leclercq Design & Construction Management - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
H. Zijlstra Heritage & Design - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
J.W.F. Wamelink Technology, Policy and Management (coach)
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
Copyright: © 2019 Ditte Gerding
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Published Date

07-02-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Abstract

The purpose of this master thesis is to gather information from current practices and make recommendations to facilitate implementation of circularity in the building process. The past years, circularity has become a popular term in the built environment. This approach prefers a more circular way of perceiving the building process. Literature indicates that implementation of circularity in the building process, probably, will require different actors to be involved and different decisions to be made.
The following research question is proposed: “Which actors should be involved (in the beginning of the building process) to ensure circularity (implementation of circular building) throughout all phases in the building process and which actors should influence decision-making?”
The following research method is adopted: a literature study, and case study research including interviews. From this literature study, assessment criteria for the case study research can be conducted. The case study research evaluates the actor network and decision-making processes based on three building projects. These projects are:
Townhall in Brummen by RAU built in 2013; The Green House in Utrecht by cepezed built in 2018; and EDGE Olympic in Amsterdam by Architekten Cie. built in 2018.
This thesis concludes that circular-related actors and traditional actors with circular-related resources should be involved and be influential in decision-making in the building process of circular building projects. This study particularly demonstrates the benefit of early on involvement of the following circular-related actors: transformation agent, circularity expert, reclamation expert, dismantler, and legal officer. In order to increase their influence on decision-making these actors should become part of the project
team, or at least be taken seriously and offered room to influence decision-making. Especially, if traditional actors lack knowledge and resources for implementing circularity. Moreover, contribution of their resources to implement circularity is facilitated, if these actors are involved early on. Early on decision-making on circularity, particularly for long-lived layers (in comparison to short-lived layers), is beneficial for its implementation in practice. Later on in the building process, after the initiation and preparation (and design) phase, implementation is difficult.