APPROACH 2 Integrate land into re-use practices Land circularity is a critical yet often-overlooked dimen- sion of end-of-life and re-use strategies. While much of the conversation around circularity focuses on mate- rials and buildings, land itself must be considered a finite resource that requires thoughtful regeneration and re-use. A circular approach to land management prioritizes adaptive re-use, infill development and the revitalization of underused spaces, reducing the envi- ronmental and social costs associated with unchecked urban expansion. By prioritizing the re-use of existing sites – e.g. through brownfield redevelopment, activating vacant lots and reusing abandoned assets – cities can curb urban sprawl,12 minimize habitat destruction and optimize existing infrastructure. This mitigates the need for new land development and strengthens communities by reinvigorating neglected spaces, providing new amen- ities, meeting local needs (e.g. housing) and cultivating economic opportunities. Impact and economic viability can be significantly enhanced when sites are pooled into coordinated development programmes, though coordi- nated approaches are still undeveloped globally.13 Denser, more compact mixed-use development also reduces GHG emissions when development is steered to well-connected urban sites near transit hubs promoting low-carbon travel. The Alliance seeks to drive a systemic shift in land use to embed land circularity as a foundational principle of sustainable and circular built environments. By integrating land into re-use strategies, policy-makers and developers can advance a low-carbon, resource-efficient, regenera - tive and socially inclusive built environment that prioritizes resilient, high-quality places over urban sprawl and new land development. INGRID SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC HUB The InGrid Schneider Electric Hub transformed part of the vacant Novkabel factory site in Novi Sad, Serbia into a carbon-neutral, Leadership in Energy and Envi- ronmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified office for Schneider Electric, setting the stage for wider regen- eration. Rather than building on new land, the project repurposed an 11,000 m2 industrial hall, preserving its structure and cultural value while adapting it for modern use. All dismantled materials were re-used, including crushed concrete for sub-base layers. The project also introduced green courtyards and improved transport links, demonstrating how abandoned industrial sites can be revived sustainably. As the first step in revitalizing the entire Novkabel campus, it serves as a model for trans- forming disused industrial zones into thriving mixed-use districts. Pro-re-use amendments to the Serbian Planning and Construction Act in 2023 facilitated its delivery and further encourage replication across Serbia, reinforcing the site’s role as a catalyst for broader redevelopment. Read more in the Alliance’s InGrid Schneider Electric Hub Innovative Practice case study.ELLINIKON PARK IN ATHENS The Ellinikon Park project located in Athens, Greece, repurposes a former international airport and brownfield site, transforming obsolete infrastructure into a vibrant urban space. Through adaptive re-use, the project pre- serves existing buildings, remediates contaminated land and incorporates reclaimed materials and energy-ef - ficient design. By prioritizing re-use of infrastructure and brownfield regeneration, Ellinikon Park reduces the environmental impact of new development and creates a sustainable public space that highlights the potential of land circularity in urban redevelopment. 106APPROACH 3 Rethink the building value chain to prioritize restoration, remanufacturing and resource optimization The Alliance asserts that incremental adaptations of existing supply chains are insufficient. A systemic over - haul is needed to accelerate the transition to a truly circular built environment. The current linear model of material extraction, production, use and disposal remains deeply entrenched, even with emerging re-use initiatives. While efforts to integrate recycled materials and improve waste diversion are steps in the right direc- tion, they do not fundamentally disrupt the underlying system that prioritizes new production over re-use and repurposing. Without a comprehensive transformation, the built environment will continue to generate exces- sive waste, deplete finite resources and contribute to embodied carbon emissions at unsustainable levels.14 A truly circular built environment requires a paradigm shift that reimagines every stage of the value chain, from material sourcing to end-of-life strategies. This includes mapping and recovering materials already in circulation, creating marketplaces for salvaged components and redesigning buildings and infrastructure for adaptability, deconstruction and re-use rather than obsolescence. Policy incentives, financial models and procurement standards must be aligned to drive demand for re-used assets and materials, and support the infrastructure needed to scale urban materials mining, restoration, adaptive re-use and remanufacturing. Additionally, design and construction practices must use fewer mate- rials and resources overall. This would extend the lifespan of existing assets and reduce reliance on virgin resources. To accelerate these changes, resources must be directed towards increasing knowledge capac- ity across both public and private sectors at local and national levels, for all actors in the process (from policy-makers through to on-site delivery workers). By shifting from a piecemeal approach to a systemic transformation, leaders can embed circularity as the foundation of urban development, ensuring long-term environmental, economic and social resilience. For further insight on the potential for realizing the dual benefits of carbon dioxide reduction as well as substan- tial economic gains across nine circularity loops for six key building materials, see the Forum’s Circularity in the Built Environment: Maximizing CO2 Abatement and Busi- ness Opportunities. 107 Miloš MartinovićKevin Scott (@k7scott) BAUBÜRO, SITU'S K.118 PROJECT, IN WINTERTHUR Baubüro in Situ’s K.118 project in Winterthur, Switzer - land exemplifies innovative adaptive re-use and circular construction practices. This endeavour transformed an industrial building into a mixed-use space, incorporat - ing offices, studios and residential units. Notably, over 60% of the building materials were sourced from decon- structed structures, including reclaimed steel beams, windows and facade elements. This approach not only preserved the building’s historical character but also minimized environmental impact by reducing the need for new resources. The project challenged the traditional linear construction model by prioritizing flexibility and decentralized material sourcing, setting a new standard for sustainable urban transformation.

From Principles to Practice DIGITAL