Integrating Circular Practices in the Planning, Design and Construction of Urban Built Environment: A Shift in the Traditional Approach for the Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

Construction industry is backbone of the economy of Pakistan. However, construction activities and generated waste from those activities have the severe impacts on the environment in term of the carbon emissions and land pollution. The construction and maintenance of the buildings is responsible for the much of the carbon dioxide emissions than any other factor in the built environment. These emissions are embedded to the materials and equipment that are used in the construction industry. There is need of changing approach from traditional planning, designing and construction of the buildings to the more sustainable practices such as introduction of circular concepts. The idea of circular economy provides more value to the urban resources by using circular practices other than wasting after its primary purpose of use. This research has provided detailed overview of past literature to find the answer of how circular principles can be integrated into various phases of construction projects in Pakistan. This thesis also has identified various barriers in implementing circularity in the construction industry. This research has presented three case studies in order to explain what have been done at present to implement recycle and reuse strategies in Pakistan. Analysis of case studies has also established the economic potential of introducing circular principles in the construction industry.

Keywords: Circularity, Construction Waste, Sustainability, Carbon Emissions