102The Davos Baukultur Alliance defines end-of-life re-use as a foundational strategy for embedding circular econ- omy principles into the built environment and achieving sustainable and circular Baukultur. The built environment produces a third of the world’s waste.6 Rather than view- ing the end-of-life stage of buildings and infrastructure as a point of waste generation, this approach reframes it as an opportunity for regeneration and circularity – max - imizing the utility of existing assets, preserving cultural and spatial continuity and drastically reducing embodied carbon emissions. Whole-asset re-use, relating to buildings, infrastruc- ture and land, is among the most effective pathways to reducing the environmental impact of urban development. Adapting existing structures prevents emissions-inten- sive processes of demolition and construction, while materials re-use further minimizes resource extraction and construction waste, preserving the cultural and spa - tial fabric of cities. Additionally, the strategic re-use of land supports sustainable urban growth by curbing urban sprawl, revitalizing underused spaces and reinforcing more sustainable, low-carbon development patterns. The built environment, including the operations and construction of buildings and infrastructure, is the single largest contributor to global CO2 emissions, gen- erating about 40% of total emissions.7 Of a building’s whole-life carbon footprint, as much as half comes from embodied carbon, which encompasses all of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with production and movement of the materials used in construction and demolition (as opposed to the amount of energy used for daily operations).8 End-of-life re-use The Alliance calls on decision-makers, including poli- cy-makers, urban planners, architects, developers and asset managers, to prioritize re-use as a central strategy in decarbonizing the built environment and strengthen- ing circular local economies. Through this call to action, the Alliance seeks to align architectural and urban development practices with cli- mate goals, circular economy principles and long-term economic and social value creation. Re-use strategies should strengthen sense of place, support local work - forces and mitigate environmental impacts by reducing demand for virgin materials and land. This would shorten supply chains and reduce construction waste as well as embodied emissions associated with extraction, pro- cessing and transport of materials. The vast majority of a building’s carbon footprint is locked in at the time of con- struction – therefore, preserving and repurposing existing assets is critical to remaining within planetary boundaries. The Alliance recognizes the efforts of counterparts who have offered clear policy strategies for measuring and capping whole-life carbon of buildings and infra - structure. For instance, such strategies are proposed in Whole Life Carbon Assessment Mandates and Imple- menting a Lifecycle Approach to Infrastructure, and cross-sector solutions are offered in Reducing Embodied Carbon in Cities. By embedding re-use in urban devel- opment, it’s possible to drastically reduce whole-life carbon and waste, mitigate resource scarcity and create vibrant, adaptable places that honour cultural heritage while supporting future generations. FIGURE 1 Hierarchy of interventions for circular high-quality Baukultur and re-use in urban development Source: Adapted from Carpentier, H. (n.d.). Circular Economy in the built environment waste hierarchy: Why recycling is the last resort. World Green Building Council; Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. (n.d.). Reduce and Re-use.SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ECOLOGICAL LOSSGREATEST SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ECOLOGICAL GAIN Collaboration of multiple stakeholders across the value chain with a focus on eliminating waste during design, material procurement, development, and end of life and renewal.Prevention Design out waste; design buildings and infrastructure for easier dismantling, re-use and recycling. Reduce Reduce consumption of non-essential resources and land. Minimize ecological footprint and practices of sufficiency. Repurpose/re-use Re-use exsisting buildings, infrastructure, land and materials in their current form for different or renewed applications. Shorten supply chains. Create jobs and reskill or upskill current workforce. Create spatial and cultural cohesion through preservation. Residuals Safely dispose of waste in landfill.Closed-loop recycle Turn building and construction waste into a new product that can be used in place of virgin products or materials. Avoid extraction of new resources.Building and infrastructure Materials Land Prioritizing local economic outcomes and workforce development A thriving re-use economy – that not only reduces emissions and diverts waste but also drives local economic growth and workforce development – is essential to advancing sustainability and circularity in the built environment. Prioritizing re-use creates new job opportunities in deconstruction, material recovery, remanufacturing and resale while supporting small businesses and local supply chains. It also enhances neighbourhood vibrancy by reinvesting in existing infrastructure, preserving cultural identity and driving community resilience. To fully capture these benefits, it’s essential to take a holistic approach to measuring and assigning value to circular materials and assets, while accounting for environmental, economic and social impacts. This includes improving quality of life through job creation and equity, and recognizing the re-use market’s potential to support high-quality, inclu - sive built environments. By aligning re-use strategies with local economic priorities, industry leaders can ensure that circular practices deliver tangible benefits to workers, businesses and communities. The Alliance supports a set of approaches (applica - ble within and beyond its membership and for both public and private practitioners) to advance re-use at scale and shift the built environment from a linear, extractive deliv - ery model to a regenerative one.

From Principles to Practice DIGITAL