CCD signatory Leuven has developed an action plan to formalise its commitment to circular construction. The plan notes, among other things, that the city will integrate circular principles as much as possible in new construction, as well as in renovation projects. That means that it will be using recyclable building materials as much as possible. Depending on its available options, the city will also choose to reuse materials and make use of its Material Bank. Furthermore, public tenders will be incorporating criteria to reflect these efforts. With these commitments, the city is coming closer to its goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.

Leuven has developed the action plan, because it believes that the government has a key role in stimulating the reuse of construction materials and that it can create big impact by implementing circular principles in urban construction and in related regulations. The city hopes that the action plan will speed up the transition to circular construction. It sees this as necessary, because of the wastefulness of ‘traditional’ construction, and its linear use of resources.

Leuven’s action plan consists of 16 diverse points. They include the reuse of materials in publicly funded projects, mapping legal barriers and opportunities for stimulating circular construction, providing examples of successful circular construction tenders, and engaging in market dialogues to seek market parties that are capable of taking on circular construction. The city already has some experience with circular construction, and hopes that the action plan will also help it to promote circular principles to the private sector.

More information on Leuven’s action plan can be found here.