Urban transformation processes and material stock techniques to facilitate circular economy and urban resilience

The most significant material stock accumulated in modern society comprises construction materials. The global material stock accumulation rate is increasing every year. This growth results from high resource and energy consumption, demolition waste emissions, and environmental impacts at the global and local levels, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, material efficiency and the circular economy represent important strategies for reducing these emissions. This paper presents the CREATE project's scope, which aims to support municipalities in developing strategies towards a local/regional Circular Economy approach focusing on buildings, municipal roads, water infrastructure, and wastewater pipes. To inform decision-makers and support a circular built environment, the project will further enhance already existing, validated, and deployed tools and arrangements. The project will follow a co-creation process and a living lab participation approach. Even though the entire Circular Economy range of strategies is discussed, the focus will be on empowering the recycling and reuse of materials stocked in existing buildings and infrastructure.