Implementing circular strategies in China

The majority of the houses that people in China will inhabit and the roads they will travel in the next 10 to 50 years are yet to be built. This means that the opportunity is now to build in a circular way.

Design for the future makes sure we avoid locking-in linearity and the toxins of tomorrow. Future-proofing the design requires adopting state-of-the-art building principles instead of the current traditional methods, which remain the norm even in most parts of highincome countries, including Europe. The need for an integrated design approach goes beyond the requirements of individual buildings alone and is equally relevant for urban and city planning. Design strategies include construction methods that allow for disassembly, with modular building proving particularly attractive. An integral part of the design process should be an emphasis on prioritising regenerative resources that are renewable and non-toxic. Particularly needed are alternatives to carbon-intensive materials such as (steel-reinforced) cement. Other important areas of interest include the introduction of advanced sorting and re-use to foster better waste as a resource rates, plus the opportunity to leverage digital technology.

Adoption of state-of-the-art building practices in China provides a platform for scaling innovation and benchmarking best-in-class performance.