This work explores the drivers for circular economy principles integration in the built environment. It highlights the reuse of materials through urban mining and the role of material passports in supporting efficient resource management. It addresses challenges in tracking and valuing materials throughout the building lifecycle and highlights digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) or sensor technologies that support material identification, reuse, and recycling. The research additionally explores the interaction between smart city technologies and circular economy approaches, demonstrating how data-driven systems can optimize material flows and promote sustainable urban development. Furthermore, it considers the potential and barriers to adopting circular construction practices in emerging markets, underscoring the need for tailored policies, education, and innovative business models. By integrating technological innovation, policy frameworks, and collaborative approaches, this work outlines pathways to enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, and foster resilient and sustainable built environments globally.

This chapter examines the primary technical barriers and challenges that impede the transition to a circular economy within the built environment. It highlights the complexities involved in integrating circular practices into the industry which traditionally relies on linear models, government and society. The analysis explores technical barriers at the urban, building and material levels of the built environment through a problem-based approach. Findings highlight a lack of standardized methodologies, inadequate design strategies for reuse and adaptability, insufficient data on material performance, and constraints in current construction practices and regulations. Furthermore, it underscores how technical fragmentation and limited interoperability among systems hinder the advancement of circularity. The chapter also explores the potential benefits of digitalization, design for disassembly, and building information modelling (BIM) as a means to address these challenges. Ultimately, it emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts among stakeholders, supported by robust regulatory frameworks and innovation, to effectively implement circular economy principles in the construction industry.

The recovery and reuse of salvaged products and building materials from existing structures is an essential practice in sustainable construction and environmental conservation. This process, often referred to as building deconstruction or architectural salvage, involves carefully dismantling buildings to preserve reusable materials. It offers numerous benefits, including significant environmental impact reduction, economic advantages, and historical preservation. Environmentally, it reduces the amount of construction and demolition debris in landfills, conserves natural resources by reusing existing materials, and reduces the carbon footprint by decreasing the need for new materials, thus reducing emissions from manufacturing and transportation. Recovery and reuse involve several steps. It begins with assessment and planning, where a detailed site assessment is performed to identify salvageable materials. A deconstruction plan is then developed that details the steps and methods to safely dismantle the structure. During the deconstruction phase, the building is carefully dismantled, starting from the top down, using manual labour and specialised tools to preserve the materials in good condition. These materials are then separated into categories such as steel, timber, concrete, bricks, etc. Next, the salvaged materials undergo cleaning and processing, making them ready for reuse. Proper storage and distribution are crucial to preserve the integrity of materials. However, practice faces challenges such as labour intensity, risks of contamination from hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead paint, fluctuating market demand, and ensuring the quality and safety of reused materials, which may require certification and compliance with building codes. The present chapter starts with aspects of pre-demolition/deconstruction audit that involves the collection of information about the materials and elements that will be recovered and continues with the evaluation of reusability of materials, mainly with steel, timber and concrete, structural components, entire primary and secondary structure.

Sustainable practices and strategies to enhance resource efficiency while minimising waste in buildings and their constituent elements are key towards circularity at the urban built environment. In this chapter three implementation scales, under the paradigm of the circular economy (CE), are measured—i.e., buildings, components and materials—, considering both new and existing buildings’ implementations. Aspects such as design for adaptability and flexibility, modular and flexible spaces and concepts, energy and water efficiency are discussed. By implementing CE strategies at the component-level using a multipronged approach would extend the lifespan and contribute to environmental and economic sustainability. This includes the refurbishment and upgrading of components and the adoption of modular construction techniques, among other techniques and solutions. The last part of the chapter presents the concept of circular materials and its circularity potential at promote extended product lifecycles and transforming waste into valuable resources. Integrating sustainable and circular design principles within construction practices is proposed towards more sustainable and resource-efficient industries’ transformations.

This chapter explores the complexities of aligning national policies with the European Union’s objectives in transitioning to a circular economy within the construction sector. While EU directives establish general frameworks, national governments encounter challenges in adapting these directives into coherent and context-specific regulations. The chapter identifies key obstacles to effective policy implementation, including fragmentation, institutional overlap, and inconsistent terminology. Additionally, it examines how governance structures, planning traditions, and institutional cultures influence policy coherence. The analysis is based on survey results collected in 2023. Although subsequent policy and regulatory changes have occurred in the past two years, the data remain relevant, as they capture the main trends and challenges that continue to shape national approaches to circular construction. By analyzing case studies and examples from various member states, the chapter emphasizes the necessity for enhanced multilevel coordination, harmonized regulatory frameworks, and knowledge-sharing platforms. Bolstering policy coherence is crucial to ensure that national initiatives make meaningful contributions to the EU’s circular economy goals and the broader sustainability agenda.