Construction and the circular economy

The impacts of the construction sector are highly reflected in the transition and development of the society, environment, and economy. Economically, the construction industry has paved many ways with the creation of jobs and job opportunities and increased the gross domestic products (GDP) contributions. Socially, the advancement in technology and infrastructure systems has made the movement between places faster and easier. The various economic transitions experienced by the construction industry have not only improved the general economy but have also exposed the natural environment to many innovative, unsustainable, and sustainable construction approaches. From the linear and industrial economies, the construction industry has evolved to the new arising circular economy. The closed-loop or cyclical economy has gained much popularity amongst the construction and business sectors since its emergence. Although it is not considered as an entirely new area of exploration in the Asian and European regions, other areas like the African and Southern American regions consider it as a new area for exploration and adoption. This chapter discusses issues concerning construction and the circular economy. Issues presented include construction and the natural environment, the economic transition of the construction industry, the concept of circular economy in the new era, benefits of circular economy to the construction sector, the case of circular economy in developed and developing countries, and the new circular economy research agenda.