An analysis of the circularity indicators at the building design level

Abstract

The built environment is responsible for around 50% of the total extraction of raw materials and 25% of all waste in the European Union, which comprises numerous materials that still have the potential for reuse and recycling. Due to the planet’s finite reserves, transitioning towards a circular approach in the built environment to achieve sustainability, particularly at the building design stage, is inevitable. At this level, the role of indicators as the primary measurement tools is essential to assess the circularity in the built environment and guide the implementation of circular economy (CE) principles into the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure. This study aims to analyse international and European policies and standards and extract and present the remarkable and relevant existing circularity indicators at the building design level. Subsequently, a categorised list of the most employed indicators to measure building design-level circularity is discussed. To achieve this goal, a bibliographic-analytical approach is used to analyse the prevalence and alignment of several sustainability and circularity criteria in international policies and standards at the building design level. Finally, the indicators are classified into seven categories: Material and Resources, Energy resources, Water resources, Waste Management, Environment, social and economic indicators. In conclusion, suggestions for further research that have the potential to facilitate the design processes of engineers, architects, and stakeholders are presented. The outcomes of this research can significantly contribute to creating a more circular and, consequently, sustainable built environment.