Circular Economy in the Built Environment of North America: Toward Housing Affordability and Sustainability

Abstract

Current modes of planning and construction, with their wide-ranging negative effects on the economy, society, and environment, necessitate a crucial reassessment of conventional building practices. One promising approach in rethinking such practices is that of circular economy (CE) which envisions a sustainable future where waste is eliminated in the built environment and the lifespan of construction products, materials, and buildings are extended as much as possible. Such an approach encourages a paradigm shift away from the current status quo throughput economy that facilitates a culture of take-make-waste. Emerging literature in the area of circular materials management outline effective zero waste strategies toward significantly curbing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and meeting the Paris Agreement goals. However, a CE approach to housing can go beyond solely waste recovery. By promoting flexibility and designing for efficient assembly and dismantling along with mechanisms for upcycling of construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) waste in the early design phases, buildings can be kept in use for as long as possible while making housing more cost effective. By introducing a new housing prototype of a circular multi-family home, this chapter highlights how cost reduction using CE principles can result in both monetary savings and environmental impact reduction.