About this Research Topic
Over the past 20 years, the concept and practice of circular economy (CE) in the construction industry have undergone significant development and advancement. The adoption of CE spans various levels, ranging from materials, components, projects, companies, industries to cities (built environment), encompassing both micro and macro perspectives. In the construction industry, the primary focus has traditionally been on reducing, recycling, and reusing construction and demolition waste (CDW) materials as the core approach to achieve circularity. However, CDW recycling and reuse have received relatively lower priority in CE policy due to their comparatively lower value creation and retention. In the meantime, the value of CE has long been focused on its environmental benefits. Notably, the CE model aims to create and deliver value at multiple dimensions where business, economic, social, and ecological opportunities associated with the transition to CE in construction should also be explored.
This Research Topic aims to address the critical challenge of scaling up circular construction by shifting the focus from CDW management to higher value-added circularity. This transition involves moving from CDW recycling towards the reuse of building components, from circular materials to a circular built environment, and from retaining environmental value to creating value across multiple dimensions. The goal of this Research Topic is to consolidate recent developments in innovative CE strategies and showcase proven case studies that demonstrate how these strategies generate environmental, economic, and social value in the construction sector. This Research Topic intends to encourage in-depth academic exploration, shape new construction practices, and ultimately promote the extensive implementation of CE principles in the construction sector.
The main theme for this Research Topic centers on identifying innovative CE solutions that have demonstrated sustainable value in the economy. The scope of this Research Topic covers a broad range of themes related to (but not limited to) the following aspects:
• Design for disassembly, deconstruction, and reuse
• Applications of refurbishment, adaptive reuse, repurpose, and renovation
• Circular procurement in construction projects
• Experimentation of circular business models
• Network design for reverse logistics
• Cross-industry innovation to CE
• Urban mining in buildings and infrastructure
• Life cycle sustainability assessment of CE initiatives
Empirical studies, qualitative and quantitative literature reviews, policy and practice reviews, and case studies demonstrating the successful application of high-value-added CE initiatives are highly encouraged.
This Research Topic aims to address the critical challenge of scaling up circular construction by shifting the focus from CDW management to higher value-added circularity. This transition involves moving from CDW recycling towards the reuse of building components, from circular materials to a circular built environment, and from retaining environmental value to creating value across multiple dimensions. The goal of this Research Topic is to consolidate recent developments in innovative CE strategies and showcase proven case studies that demonstrate how these strategies generate environmental, economic, and social value in the construction sector. This Research Topic intends to encourage in-depth academic exploration, shape new construction practices, and ultimately promote the extensive implementation of CE principles in the construction sector.
The main theme for this Research Topic centers on identifying innovative CE solutions that have demonstrated sustainable value in the economy. The scope of this Research Topic covers a broad range of themes related to (but not limited to) the following aspects:
• Design for disassembly, deconstruction, and reuse
• Applications of refurbishment, adaptive reuse, repurpose, and renovation
• Circular procurement in construction projects
• Experimentation of circular business models
• Network design for reverse logistics
• Cross-industry innovation to CE
• Urban mining in buildings and infrastructure
• Life cycle sustainability assessment of CE initiatives
Empirical studies, qualitative and quantitative literature reviews, policy and practice reviews, and case studies demonstrating the successful application of high-value-added CE initiatives are highly encouraged.
Keywords: circular design, value retention process, lifetime extension, multiple use cycles, product-service system, closed-loop supply chain, industrial symbiosis, building stock, sustainable circular economy
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
