Circular Building Strategies: A Categorization Framework

Paper in proceeding, 2024

The concept of Circular Economy (CE) has been gaining increasing attention in the context of the built environment in recent years. Many different circular strategies for buildings, such as reusing structures, Design for Disassembly and Adaptability, have been frequently discussed in the literature, but a clear definition and framework are lacking. This study provides a categorization framework for circular strategies in new buildings laying the groundwork for a common understanding. The methodology involves an integrative review to synthesize relevant research analyzing circular building strategies in existing literature and case study reviews. The analysis revealed five key dimensions for categorizing the diverse strategies found in the publications: concept, level, approach, implementation time, and impact. Based on these findings, a framework has been proposed to help clarify the fundamental characteristics of different circular strategies. Overall, this study contributes to a common understanding of various circular strategies for new buildings. As a practical tool, the categorization framework facilitates the systematic analysis of circular strategies for both researchers and practitioners, enabling the identification of synergies and driving a holistic adoption of CE in the built environment.