Circular Economy and Regeneration of Building Stock …
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construction of new parts for the existing building can be designed and completed
with disassembly solutions, using materials that are reusable and recyclable,
without toxic or hazardous materials. Moreover, in this perspective construction
techniques can also be improved, avoiding the construction waste caused by
incorrect operation (e.g. design error, site operation, materials scraps) which can be
avoided with a BIM design, which enhances communication, increases efficiency
and reduces errors (Osmani 2011).
Despite these opportunities, there are also a number of challenges to address,
because in the building process the circular strategies are hardly applied on
heterogeneous and long processes with dynamic relationships of different operators
related to each other in a discontinuous manner.
Currently, the transition towards a sustainable circular renovation of building
stock is still thwarted by political and economic barriers along with a lack of
awareness. In the next paragraph, the study illustrates the main obstacles to
overcome and provides strategies to support the transition towards a sustainable
circular regeneration, through the identification of: (i) policy improvement, (ii)
strategic partnerships for circular networks, (iii) environmental and economic
life-cycle assessment tools to support the decision-making process.
4 Strategies Towards a Sustainable Circular Building
Regeneration Process
In order to identify the obstacles and strategies for the transition towards a circular
economy, the study carried out an in-depth analysis, through interviews with
stakeholders regarding the building renovation process: the current material and
information flows, the relationships among the operators and stakeholders and the
tools used during the process. This analysis is useful to understand the current
practices, design and management choices when a building has to be regenerated,
in order to identify the critical points and necessary changes.
4.1 Policy Improvements
After the publication of the ‘European Construction 2020 strategy’ and the other
European communication which promotes circular economy in the construction
sector (European Commission 2014, 2015), it is possible to say that the policies
regarding circular economy at European and National levels, are mainly promoting
actions that deal with the management of CDW, recycling activities and waste
logistics. The other aspects of circular economy on a building level, such as design
approach and circular business models, are not yet promoted by policies.
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construction of new parts for the existing building can be designed and completed
with disassembly solutions, using materials that are reusable and recyclable,
without toxic or hazardous materials. Moreover, in this perspective construction
techniques can also be improved, avoiding the construction waste caused by
incorrect operation (e.g. design error, site operation, materials scraps) which can be
avoided with a BIM design, which enhances communication, increases efficiency
and reduces errors (Osmani 2011).
Despite these opportunities, there are also a number of challenges to address,
because in the building process the circular strategies are hardly applied on
heterogeneous and long processes with dynamic relationships of different operators
related to each other in a discontinuous manner.
Currently, the transition towards a sustainable circular renovation of building
stock is still thwarted by political and economic barriers along with a lack of
awareness. In the next paragraph, the study illustrates the main obstacles to
overcome and provides strategies to support the transition towards a sustainable
circular regeneration, through the identification of: (i) policy improvement, (ii)
strategic partnerships for circular networks, (iii) environmental and economic
life-cycle assessment tools to support the decision-making process.
4 Strategies Towards a Sustainable Circular Building
Regeneration Process
In order to identify the obstacles and strategies for the transition towards a circular
economy, the study carried out an in-depth analysis, through interviews with
stakeholders regarding the building renovation process: the current material and
information flows, the relationships among the operators and stakeholders and the
tools used during the process. This analysis is useful to understand the current
practices, design and management choices when a building has to be regenerated,
in order to identify the critical points and necessary changes.
4.1 Policy Improvements
After the publication of the ‘European Construction 2020 strategy’ and the other
European communication which promotes circular economy in the construction
sector (European Commission 2014, 2015), it is possible to say that the policies
regarding circular economy at European and National levels, are mainly promoting
actions that deal with the management of CDW, recycling activities and waste
logistics. The other aspects of circular economy on a building level, such as design
approach and circular business models, are not yet promoted by policies.