Circular construction in Flanders

We currently do not know exactly what is in our buildings. To encourage reuse and recycling, we need to have a reliable and accurate picture of the composition of materials in structures and products.  This insight is largely non-existent today. 

 In this work path, we are working toward implementing a building passport. At the same time, we are seizing the opportunities of digitisation in the Flemish construction sector.  By developing a BIM standard and creating a clear agreement framework, we ensure that information exchange between the parties involved in the chain is strengthened.   

Policy makers and business leaders are taking too much of a wait-and-see attitude. We want them to proactively invest in circular solutions. For more prosperity and well-being, and to confront climate change.

In this work path, we examine how certain bottlenecks can be eliminated, through policy. In addition , we monitor relevant European initiatives (e.g. Circular Economy Act, End of Waste criteria, Construction Products Regulation, Buy Better to Build Better) and communicate about them to stakeholders. 

Our focus is too much on the financial cost of a building. We also want environmental and social costs to be factored into decisions regarding investment, design and business model. The TOTEM tool will integrate circularity more fully, and there will be a TOTEM for infrastructure works. We also monitor the revision of European regulations on energy performance of buildings (EPBD) with a focus on the material footprint. 

We also support governments and private building clients who want to integrate circularity into their building and renovation projects, working with tools such as TOTEM, GRO, etc. 

There is too much fragmentation. We want to avoid sprawl, bring more functions together and have an infrastructure that supports all that. That way, we bring living, working and infrastructure in balance with nature and water.

This theme is already being explored by several other programmes, so for now no actions have been set out within the strategic agenda. 

We often see reuse and recycling as expensive or second-rate. But in fact, reuse should be given priority over new materials, while maintaining safety and environmental standards.

Specifically, we want to foster take-up of the reuse inventory, and we are working on a technical framework for reuse. The role of materials banks and digital demand & supply platforms is also being explored. Finally, we want to increase knowledge about selective demolition and high-end recycling

We waste a lot of valuable resources by using them carelessly. We want to get maximum value from what we have and give everyone access to what's necessary. We regulate water and energy locally, with smart storage and distribution.

The themes of water and energy are being developed by other programmes. There are therefore currently no actions within the strategic agenda.

The construction sector is fragmented, does not share enough knowledge and does not show enough trust. Our goal is a network where everyone works together to better manage materials, building products and construction works. That way, we can reduce the pressure on workers and environment at the same time.

This is by sharing experiences of collaboration in the chain, supporting governments to integrate collaboration criteria (including construction teams) in tenders, and exploring the role of social economy companies in circular construction.

We are exploring how circular construction principles contribute to affordable housing. We are looking into and testing funding models, as well as how alternative ownership can be boosted.  And we are taking actions around collective neighbourhood renovations to keep costs under control.

Within the strategic lever 'funding', experiences in assessing investments in circular construction projects will be shared with the community of the strategic agenda.

We communicate about circular construction in an inspiring and approachable way. On the website, we share an up-to-date overview of relevant tools and show how local authorities, among others, can take a circular approach to building and renovation. 

We are introducing circularity into education and training so that construction professionals can develop the necessary knowledge and skills.

Short-term thinking must make way for sustainable and circular principles. Specifically, designing with minimal environmental impact and with future functions and purposes in mind. In this work path, we identify obstacles and opportunities for future-oriented construction and draw up an action plan. We also support experiments towards implementing innovative materials with low environmental impact and follow initiatives such as the charter on bio-circular construction, climate roof, etc.