A New Framework for Circular Refurbishment of Buildings to Operationalize Circular Economy Policies
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Background
3.1. Main Challenges to Adopting CE in Building Refurbishment
3.2. European Policy-Driven Initiatives Related to CE in the Building Sector
3.3. Existing Frameworks for CE Refurbishment
4. A New Framework for CE in Building Refurbishment
4.1. The Circular Refurbishment Framework Architecture
4.2. Strategies to Promote CE within the Circular Refurbishment Framework Stages
4.2.1. Mapping Stage
4.2.2. Selective Disassembly/Demolition Stage
4.2.3. (Re)design Stage
4.2.4. (New) Products Stage
4.2.5. (Re)construction Stage
4.2.6. Operation Stage
5. Case Study: Application to the Portuguese Context
5.1. Regulation for CE in Buildings Refurbishment
- At the mapping stage: adopting an Inspection and Diagnosis Report (IDR), a pre-demolition audit, and a strategic intervention plan, following CE-based recommendations;
- At the selective disassembly/demolition stage: adopting CDW prevention and management plans in all refurbishments is a good practice;
- At the (re)design stage: adopting lifecycle sustainable and cost-optimal criteria to select design, assessing environmental sustainability through EN15798 [28], and using certification methods (also in subsequent stages).
5.2. New CE Refurbishment Steps for an Incentive-Based Policy
6. Discussion and Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Dimensions | Challenges | |
---|---|---|
Economic | E1 | Lack of platforms and storage facilities for reclaimed products |
E2 | Lack of platforms for CE professionals and CE jobs | |
E3 | Estimation challenges; short-term blinkers | |
E4 | Lack of strategies and infrastructures for new CE materials production | |
E5 | Lack of CE business models | |
Social | S1 | Lack of trust and lack of CE vision for the building sector |
S2 | Lack of platforms for CE professionals and CE jobs | |
S3 | Lack of collaboration between stakeholders (silo mentality) | |
S4 | Willingness to go around the law | |
Organizational | O1 | Lack of platforms and storage facilities for reclaimed products |
O2 | Lack of standard practices for End-of-Life (EOL) and Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) management (pre design stage) | |
O3 | Collaboration and management issues | |
O4 | Issues with manufacturers’ responsibility and approaches | |
O5 | Constraints for EOL processes implementation on site | |
O6 | Lack of methodology and standard practices for CE design | |
O7 | Lack of training skills | |
Technical | T1 | Building-related barriers |
T2 | Lack of materials knowledge and technical challenges for CE | |
T3 | Challenges to EOL implementation | |
T4 | Production related barriers (materials and technology) | |
T5 | Barriers to apply new CE oriented design | |
Environmental | EN1 | Toxic materials removal |
EN2 | Lack of awareness of CE impact in climate change | |
EN3 | Lack of awareness of transportation impact in CE in construction | |
EN4 | Low of energy efficiency at operation stage | |
EN5 | Lack of methodology of CE evaluation towards climate change mitigation | |
Policy | P1 | Lack of platforms and infrastructures for reclaimed materials, components and products |
P2 | CDW related barriers | |
P3 | Lack of consistent regulatory framework for CE | |
P4 | Reclaimed materials related barriers | |
P5 | Lack of knowledge among stakeholders | |
P6 | CE business related barriers |
9R Framework | LCA Approach | Procurement Phases |
---|---|---|
Refuse | Strategic definition | |
Rethink | Preparation and briefing | |
Reduce | Concept design | |
Spatial coordination | ||
Technical design | ||
Product Stage (A1–A3)/Construction Process (A4–A5) | Manufacturing and construction | |
Handover | ||
Reuse | Use Stage (B1–B7) | Use |
Repair | ||
Refurbish | End-of-Life (C1–C4)/Module D | |
Remanufacture | ||
Repurpose |
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Fernandes, J.; Ferrão, P. A New Framework for Circular Refurbishment of Buildings to Operationalize Circular Economy Policies. Environments 2023, 10, 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10030051
Fernandes J, Ferrão P. A New Framework for Circular Refurbishment of Buildings to Operationalize Circular Economy Policies. Environments. 2023; 10(3):51. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10030051
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernandes, Joana, and Paulo Ferrão. 2023. "A New Framework for Circular Refurbishment of Buildings to Operationalize Circular Economy Policies" Environments 10, no. 3: 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10030051
APA StyleFernandes, J., & Ferrão, P. (2023). A New Framework for Circular Refurbishment of Buildings to Operationalize Circular Economy Policies. Environments, 10(3), 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10030051