Low-carbon buildings through Circular Economy strategies in Concrete Waste Management - The Case of Jordan
Promotors: Mario Rinke, Bob Geldermans
This research investigates the potential for integrating Circular Economy (CE) strategies into managing concrete waste to promote low-carbon buildings in Jordan. Given the significant environmental footprint of the construction sector, mainly through the production and disposal of concrete, adopting CE practices presents a crucial opportunity for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing sustainability within the industry. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of carbon savings and qualitative assessments of stakeholder perspectives to explore the feasibility, benefits, and challenges of applying CE strategies in Jordan's context.
The findings indicate that implementing CE principles in concrete waste management—such as recycling concrete rubble into new construction materials, adopting design for disassembly, and utilizing digital platforms for material tracking—can significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with building construction and demolition. Moreover, the study highlights these practices' economic and environmental benefits, including material savings, reduced landfill use, and the creation of new green jobs. However, barriers such as regulatory hurdles, lack of awareness, and the need for technological investments are significant challenges to the widespread adoption of CE strategies in Jordan.
The main goals of the research are to provide policy recommendations for Jordanian authorities and stakeholders in the construction industry, suggesting ways to overcome these barriers and foster a more sustainable, low-carbon approach to concrete waste management. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on applying CE principles in developing countries by situating the analysis within the specific socio-economic and regulatory context of Jordan. It offers insights that can be used in similar contexts globally.
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