Circularity in the built environment

This course introduces first of all circularity as the problem of planetary (resource) management, with a central role for rates and planetary boundaries. Energy, materials, waste and emissions are studied separately and in cohesion. Then we explore the idea of a circular economy, highlighting 21st century attempts to (re)define boundaries, "progress" and "costs" and consider fair distribution. We will study and exercise various circularity and sustainability assessments. After this broad introduction we move on to the built environment and zoom in from large to small. What does circularity mean for planetary and urban spatial planning? How to design circular buildings on conceptual and technical level? How to redesign the numerous existing buildings that were not designed with these considerations? What is a circular product or component? And how to select materials? What should we know about their impacts, their availability, their mining and their recycling? After exploring these issues, you are asked to define 3 personal research questions in the domains of technology, economy and humanities.

Course aim

Circularity is often narrowed down to reuse and recycling, but on a systemic level it is about staying within planetary boundaries. This concerns energy, materials, waste ánd emissions: the whole picture. We start our problem analysis at planetary level, and from there we zoom in to global economy, spatial planning, buildings, elements and components, materials, The lectures of this course will give you a theoretical introduction in key concepts while the assignments and feedback sessions address application. Finally, the course invites and allows participation in the follow-upCircularity Research a/o Design Project (7XC2M0).

Circularity in the built environment 7XC1M0 and Circularity research a/o design project (7XC2M0) are part of the TU/e master certificate 'circular design in the built environment'. Please check this website for more information: https://educationguide.tue.nl/broadening/certificates/circular-design-in-the-built-environment-msc/

After successful completion of this course,

1. You can make (quantitative) circularity/sustainability assessments and use them adequately for decision making.
2. You can match a variety of circularity/sustainability problems to a variety of assessment methods.
3. You can analyze circularity/sustainability problems from multiple angles (political, legal, economic, financial, behavioral and cultural, besides technical and practical) and propose interdisciplinary solutions/measures.
4. You can develop and elaborate effective and efficient circular/sustainable design/planning/engineering solutions on various scale levels.
5. You can summarize state-of-the-art circularity/sustainability knowledge, reflect on it, and define your own follow-up research questions.
6. You can present your work in a clear and convincing way.

• Presentations and videos are available on Canvas.