The built environment comprises buildings and structures constructed to give people places to live, work and connect. It is critical for for maintaining societal well-being, providing shelter, safety, mobility and a sense of community but it also places increasing stress on our planet.

A circular built environment acts as a “living” system that operates within the boundaries of our planet, preserves the value of its resources, and ensures the well-being of its inhabitants. It will reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector by optimising resource use and minimising wastage in all forms. The circular economy in the built environment is a promising concept and offers great opportunities for businesses, cities and governments. Many innovative solutions already exist in this sector, but developing scalable and replicable solutions for greater impact remains a challenge.

This document is intended to guide cities on how to advance their circular transition in the built environment, from establishing an enabling framework to implementing circular solutions. It covers a circular urban built environment, the changing roles of stakeholders in a circular built environment and key recommendations and action points for cities.

See Circular City Centre - C3.