Reincarnate is pleased to announce the publication of the paper “Accelerating Circularity Systemically: Three Directions for Impactful Research” in npj Urban Sustainability, part of Nature Portfolio Journals. Authored by Angela Greco, Brian van Laar, Hilde Remøy, and Vincent Gruis from Delft University of Technology, this study presents a structured approach to integrating circularity within urban design.
“Once upon a time, architects, developers, and urban planners focused on optimizing services and crafting new architectural value,” the authors reflect. But today, they cannot afford to pursue the same role. Urban systems are among the most degraded ecosystems, with resource scarcity and waste accumulation growing critically.
Addressing these challenges requires re-designing design from the ground up to build truly circular urban systems. Imagine beginning a project by first designing how materials might flow through several lifecycles before selecting them. Although this idea has long been part of theoretical discussions, turning it into action demands a complete shift in how design is valued and organized.
The paper provides three structured research directions to support this goal:
- Circularity Across Scales and Time – To implement circular practices effectively, urban design must consider the interplay of both local and global scales. Small-scale efforts need to align with larger sustainability objectives to avoid unintended consequences and vice-versa. For instance, global supply chains and localized material cycles must work in tandem to maximize the reuse and value of materials over time while simultaneously leveraging local practices.
- Redesigning the Design Process – Material selection is often one of the latest stages in a building design process. This paper suggests that material choices should occur in an early design phase, and go beyond the choice of materials based on immediate functions, and instead already integrate long-term lifecycle impacts. Rather than an afterthought, circularity becomes a driving initial design decisions, enabling buildings and materials to be adapted and reused in both early and distant futures.
- Learning from Past Transitions – Drawing from previous sustainability shifts, particularly in the energy sector, can offer insights into implementing circular architectural strategies. This includes adapting proven business models from energy transition frameworks to support circularity, or using regulatory and economic incentives to embed these practices in urban planning and policy.
In collaboration with Reincarnate, these research directions are being developed into actionable tools to help architects, planners, and policymakers create urban environments that regenerate resources. These efforts aim to bridge the theory-practice divide currently affecting the field of circularity, to accelerate the transition to a resilient built environment.
Access the full paper here.