Short answer

Integrate principles of flexibility, adaptability, and robust performance metrics into design strategies and assessment tools to better support regenerative and circular approaches in the built environment.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Buildings (2022)
Method: Convergent mixed methods approach
Sample: 146 questionnaire responses, 18 interviews
Evidence: Moderate effect

Professionals in the built environment demonstrate a foundational understanding of regenerative and circular economy principles but require enhanced tools and practices for effective implementation. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2022 study published in Buildings. Using Convergent mixed methods approach with 146 questionnaire responses, 18 interviews, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate principles of flexibility, adaptability, and robust performance metrics into design strategies and assessment tools to better support regenerative and circular approaches in the built environment.

Study

SustainabilityHigh ImpactModerate effect

Built Environment Professionals Show Moderate Awareness of Regenerative Circularity, High Potential for Improvement

Professionals in the built environment demonstrate a foundational understanding of regenerative and circular economy principles but require enhanced tools and practices for effective implementation.

Buildings · 2022

Key Findings

01Built environment professionals have an average level of awareness regarding regenerative and circular economy concepts.
02There is significant room for improvement in the practical application of these approaches within the sector.
03Sustainability assessment tools need enhancement in areas such as performance requirements, flexibility, adaptability, and stakeholder engagement.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When developing or evaluating sustainability assessment tools, ensure they explicitly address performance requirements, adaptability, and engagement mechanisms for regenerative and circular design.

Project actions

01When researching sustainable design, consider how professionals actually implement these ideas.
02Critically evaluate existing assessment tools for their effectiveness in promoting circularity and regenerative practices.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the awareness, perceptions, and current practices of built environment professionals concerning regenerative and circular approaches, and to identify areas for improvement in sustainability assessment tools.

MethodConvergent mixed methods approach

ProcedureOnline questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data, followed by semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth qualitative insights. Data from both methods were coded, grouped, and analyzed.

Sample146 questionnaire responses, 18 interviews

ContextBuilt environment sector (architecture, engineering, construction, urban planning)

Variables

IV["Awareness of regenerative and circular approaches","Perceived barriers to adoption","Current practices in sustainability assessment"]

DV["Perceptions of regenerative and circularity","Suggestions for improving NSA tools","Opportunities and enablers for sector improvement"]

CV["Professional role within the built environment","Geographic location (though the study aimed for global representation)","Experience level"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilizes a mixed-methods approach for comprehensive data collection.
+Addresses a timely and critical topic in sustainable development.

Limitations

The sample size and global distribution might not represent all regional contexts or specific professional disciplines within the built environment.

Reliability & validity

The mixed-methods approach enhances validity by triangulating findings from quantitative and qualitative data. Reliability would depend on the consistency of coding and analysis procedures.

Think critically

To what extent do the identified limitations in assessment tools hinder innovation in regenerative and circular design, and what alternative evaluation methods could be explored?

Design Principles

"Design for adaptability and circularity by incorporating flexible systems and measurable performance indicators for regenerative outcomes."

This research highlights a critical gap between awareness and actionable practice in sustainable construction. Designers and engineers can leverage these findings to develop more robust assessment tools and educational resources that bridge this gap, fostering a more widespread adoption of regenerative circularity.

What This Means for Your Design

People who design buildings and cities know a bit about making them sustainable and reusable, but they don't always do it, and the current ways we check if buildings are sustainable could be better.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the current state of sustainable design adoption and the need for improved assessment methodologies in your design project.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that while built environment professionals possess moderate awareness of regenerative and circular economy principles, significant opportunities exist to enhance their practical application. Current sustainability assessment tools often require improvement in areas such as performance requirements, flexibility, and adaptability to effectively support these advanced approaches, suggesting a need for more integrated and robust evaluation frameworks in design practice.

Source

Buildings

Inquiry on Perceptions and Practices of Built Environment Professionals Regarding Regenerative and Circular Approaches

journal · 2022

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about built environment professionals show moderate awareness of regenerative circularity, high potential for improvement?: Integrate principles of flexibility, adaptability, and robust performance metrics into design strategies and assessment tools to better support regenerative and circular approaches in the built environment. Evidence: Buildings (2022).
Why does "Built Environment Professionals Show Moderate Awareness of Regenerative Circularity, High Potential for Improvement" matter for design?: This research highlights a critical gap between awareness and actionable practice in sustainable construction. Designers and engineers can leverage these findings to develop more robust assessment tools and educational resources that bridge this gap, fostering a more widespread adoption of regenerative circularity.
How can designers apply this research?: Integrate principles of flexibility, adaptability, and robust performance metrics into design strategies and assessment tools to better support regenerative and circular approaches in the built environment.
What were the main findings?: Built environment professionals have an average level of awareness regarding regenerative and circular economy concepts.. There is significant room for improvement in the practical application of these approaches within the sector.. Sustainability assessment tools need enhancement in areas such as performance requirements, flexibility, adaptability, and stakeholder engagement.
What research method was used?: Convergent mixed methods approach with 146 questionnaire responses, 18 interviews.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2022 journal from Buildings.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When developing or evaluating sustainability assessment tools, ensure they explicitly address performance requirements, adaptability, and engagement mechanisms for regenerative and circular design.
What are the limitations?: The study's findings may be influenced by the specific geographic and professional backgrounds of the participants, and the 'average' awareness might mask significant variations within the professional community.