Topics
We organise our actions in six thematic & strategic agendas:
Strategic Agendas:
Bio-economy
Circular Construction
Chemicals/Plastics
Manufacturing Industry
Food Chain
Water Cycles
Seven leverages provide additional support:
Leverage effects:
Lever Policy Instruments
Lever Circular Procurement
Lever Communication
Lever Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Lever Financing
Lever Jobs & Skills
Lever Research
What, why and how?
Why are we pursuing a circular economy?
Future visions 2050
How do we see our circular future?
About our management
Who steers what at Flanders Circular?
CIA²
Moving toward a holistic approach to construction projects
Today, circular principles are insufficiently applied in the construction process because the construction process is too fragmented, both vertically and horizontally. Due to the complexity of construction, companies have become increasingly specialized. This offers many advantages but at the same time leads to a fraying of the specifications into a multitude of lots, creating extra potential conflict zones. Also, the linear construction process causes fragmentation: different parties each realize one part and then disappear. They have nothing to gain from the sustainable character of the entire construction process.
With the CIA² project, AVC Gemino, in collaboration with Designregio Kortrijk, Bopro, and Ingenium, is looking for an innovative response to this issue. For the first time, we focus on the interfaces: the interspaces that make connection possible. This concerns both literal contact surfaces (e.g., between wall and ceiling), but also figurative contact points between stakeholders and different phases in the construction process.
Concretely, we listed the needs and interests of all stakeholders in the construction process. From there, we defined the scope and generated ideas. We tested multiple methodologies to make interfaces more circular(ready) through concrete cases and collected a whole series of lessons learned.
AVC Gemino
Partners Designregio Kortrijk, Bopro, Ingenium
Sectors
Themes
Organisations
Website
MOST IMPORTANT
RESULTS
- The theme of circular construction, and interfaces in particular, was explored both broadly and deeply: various visions, policy frameworks, guidelines, tools, methodologies, best practices ...
- We created an overview of the various stakeholders in the construction process, detailing for each their ‘jobs’, ‘pains’, and ‘gains’. This mapping was supplemented with a survey among both the general public and specific target groups.
- We tested multiple methodologies for making interfaces more circular(ready) through concrete cases, focusing on outdated offices that are difficult to transform without expensive investments. We also conducted a test setup in the company campus O’Forty.
- The large number of combinations of actors and factors in the construction process makes it impossible to describe a circular solution for every potential interface. However, we were able to collect lessons learned to support thought exercises on circularity.
MOST IMPORTANT
LESSONS LEARNED
- There are various definitions of circularity circulating, and this variation becomes even sharper in construction practice. Some aspects of circularity have been thoroughly researched, while others remain significantly underexplored. It would be useful to bundle these gaps as a pool for further research.
- Circularity needs both a broad scope to generate enriching ideas and the right focus, because not all ideas can be further explored. Also, taking a step back during later dissemination is important to clarify the broad applicability of the results.
- Determining a relevant set of measurable indicators for the circularity of a construction project is not easy. It involves finding a balance between sufficient ambition and feasibility. By working with gradations (good better best principle), stakeholders can evolve step by step towards circular construction.
- Defining a useful set of indicators is the first step, but the effective consistent application of circularity and achieving the KPIs is less straightforward. A combination of measures is needed, including regulation, at various levels and for all stakeholder groups.
WHAT DOES
THE FUTURE HOLD?
Within the project period, we could not complete all steps: in terms of communication and knowledge sharing, the project partners continue to work on their own initiative. There will be broad communication about the project results and targeted actions will be set up for architects and other stakeholders in the (interior) construction process.
Through the project website that will be developed, we will continue to disseminate our lessons learned. Knowledge sharing will also remain active through the rollout of a workshop for various target groups and environments, such as in the context of the new bachelor's degree in Built Environment or the Living Summer School.
Furthermore, we continue to focus on raising awareness through a publication about the necessity and feasibility of circular (interior) construction.
Finally, the project results will be applied in new use cases (mainly new-build office projects). Our own use case will be further refined and tested primarily in outdated office buildings, as a circular interim solution pending thorough renovation.
