Circular buildings take centre stage at CCRI Annual Workshop

The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) held on 13 October its 3rd Coordination and Support Workshop on "Making Circular Investments Pay Off for Cities and Regions" in Brussels. The event brought together over 100 stakeholders, including funders, investors, and project representatives, to address the financial hurdles faced by circular economy projects. During the workshop, the project held a dedicated thematic working group meeting on Circular Buildings and Construction, which was attended by ACR+.

The session showcased innovative projects, including a Flanders initiative that integrated circular criteria like reused steel frames and flooring into its tender, developed through community collaboration. This project sparked a discussion on balancing sustainability with housing affordability. Similarly, Finland’s Tehdassaari innovation district demonstrated the potential of revitalising an industrial site using construction material reuse and a material bank app, combining circular practices with urban regeneration to attract visitors.

Participants were divided into groups to tackle two pressing questions: demonstrating the value of circular buildings and addressing their high costs. Guided by Circular Flanders, discussions highlighted key insights, such as branding circular projects as city assets and linking them to climate objectives. Participants also noted the importance of involving all political parties to ensure long-term sustainability. On costs, it was emphasised that the lifetime expense of a conventional office building could triple without sustainable measures from the outset, underscoring the economic case for circular construction.

If you would like to learn more about our thematic area on Built Environment and take part in its activities please contact (sli@acrplus.org).