European Research Center for Social Development

Tag: Built Environment

  • Towards Circular and more Sustainable Buildings: A Systematic Literature Review on the Circular Economy in the Built Environment

    Towards Circular and more Sustainable Buildings: A Systematic Literature Review on the Circular Economy in the Built Environment

    This comprehensive review of over 300 academic papers provides a clear map of how the built environment is transitioning toward a Circular Economy (CE).

    While the research confirms a global shift toward circular thinking (particularly in Europe and China) it also exposes a significant gap: most current efforts are focused only on managing waste rather than redesigning the entire building lifecycle.

    The study explicitly states “circularity” is currently hindered by a lack of integrated business models and fragmented communication between stakeholders.

    To move beyond the current incipient stage, the authors propose a new theoretical framework that prioritizes residual material value and calls for stronger governments intervention. Without specific laws, subsidies, and tax incentives to support decision-makers, the built environment will struggle to move from theoretical research to the practical implementation of sustainable, circular principles.

    Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121134

    Reference

    Munaro, M. R., Tavares, S. F., & Bragança, L. (2020). Towards circular and more sustainable buildings: A systematic literature review on the circular economy in the built environment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 260, 121134

  • Enhancing the Circular Economy with Nature-Based Solutions in the Built Urban Environment: Green Building Materials, Systems and Sites

    Enhancing the Circular Economy with Nature-Based Solutions in the Built Urban Environment: Green Building Materials, Systems and Sites

    Can we design cities that function like forest? This research makes the case for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) as the “missing link” in our transition to a circular economy.

    By moving away from synthetic, linear materials and embracing biocomposites and vegetated building systems, we can create urban environments that actually “give back” to the planet.

    The study highlights that a truly circular city doesn’t just recycle waste; it provides ecosystem services. From green roofs that cool our streets to plant-based materials that store carbon, NBS offer a way to counter the negative impacts of rapid urbanization.

    Through a series of modern case studies, the authors demonstrate that when we align our building policies with natural processes, we don’t just build more sustainably, we build more resilient, healthier and more efficient cities for everyone.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.2166/bgs.2019.928

    Reference

    David Pearlmutter, et al; Enhancing the circular economy with nature-based solutions in the built urban environment: green building materials, systems and sites. Blue-Green Systems 1 January 2020; 2 (1): 46–72

  • Circular Economy Practices in the Built Environment

    Circular Economy Practices in the Built Environment

    We cannot simply build our way out of the climate crisis by replacing old structures with new “green” ones.

    This comprehensive review of nearly 300 studies reveals that true urban sustainability lies in the Circular Economy, a system that prioritizes reducing the need for new resources over merely recycling ones.

    The research moves beyond the traditional building site to propose a radical integration of city and countryside trough urban-rural symbiosis.

    By viewing waste, water, and energy as interconnected systems that can be recovered and shared across the urban-rural divide, cities can drastically lower their carbon footprints.

    Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124215

    Reference

    Joensuu, T., Edelman, H., & Saari, A. (2020). Circular economy practices in the built environment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 276, 124215.