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