Exploring UAE's transition towards circular economy through construction and demolition waste management in the pre-construction stage–A case study approach

doi:10.1108/sasbe-06-2022-0115

Study

SustainabilityRecentModerate effect

Designing for Deconstruction is Key to UAE's Circular Economy Transition

While the UAE construction industry shows progress in waste prevention, prefabrication, and CDW management plans, a significant gap exists in designing for disassembly and deconstruction, hindering a full circular economy transition.

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment · 2023

01

Key Findings

01UAE construction projects demonstrate positive initiatives in policies/strategic frameworks, design for waste prevention, use of prefabricated elements, and CDW management plans.
02Designing for disassembly or deconstruction is notably absent in the studied cases.
03The transition towards a circular economy in the UAE construction sector is still in its initial stages.

02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize designing for disassembly and deconstruction from the outset of any construction project to achieve true circularity.

How to apply

When designing new buildings or renovations, explicitly plan for how components can be disassembled and reused or recycled at the end of the building's life.

Project actions

01When researching a product or system, look for how it addresses the entire lifecycle, including its end-of-life.
02Consider how design choices impact waste generation and resource depletion.

03

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the extent of circular economy principles in the pre-construction stage of UAE construction projects, specifically focusing on construction and demolition waste management.

MethodMultiple Case Study

ProcedureResearchers conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders on three significant construction projects in Dubai. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis with NVIVO 12 software to evaluate the implementation of five key circular economy aspects.

ContextConstruction industry in the UAE, specifically Dubai.

Variables

IV["Implementation of CE aspects (policies, design for waste prevention, design for disassembly, prefabrication, CDW management plans)"]

DV["Extent of circularity achieved in the pre-construction stage"]

CV["Project type, location (Dubai), construction industry context"]

04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Focuses on a specific, relevant industry (construction) and a key sustainability challenge (CDW).
+Utilizes a case study approach to provide in-depth insights into real-world practices.

Limitations

The case studies might not cover all types of construction projects or regions. The focus on the pre-construction stage means actual deconstruction outcomes weren't observed.

Reliability & validity

The use of multiple case studies and thematic analysis provides a degree of reliability. Validity is enhanced by focusing on influential projects, but generalizability might be limited.

Think critically

To what extent can current building codes and regulations be adapted to mandate design for deconstruction, and what are the economic implications of such mandates?

05

Design Principles

"Integrate end-of-life considerations, such as deconstruction and material reuse, into the initial design phases."

For designers and engineers, this highlights a critical area for innovation. Integrating deconstruction principles early in the design phase can unlock greater material reuse and reduce landfill waste, aligning with global sustainability goals and potentially creating new market opportunities.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Even though some construction projects are getting better at reducing waste and using pre-made parts, they aren't planning well enough for how to take buildings apart later to reuse materials. This is a big step missing for a truly 'circular' economy.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of considering end-of-life scenarios in your design project.
2.Cite this study when discussing the challenges and opportunities in implementing circular economy strategies within a specific industry.

07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2023). Exploring UAE's transition towards circular economy through construction and demolition waste management in the pre-construction stage–A case study approach. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment. https://doi.org/10.1108/sasbe-06-2022-0115 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/aec51180-f620-457a-a954-b4a59d9ee6ed/designing-for-deconstruction-is-key-to-uae-s-circular-economy-transition

Paragraph starter

This research highlights that while the UAE construction industry is making progress in waste prevention and prefabrication, a significant gap remains in designing for disassembly and deconstruction. This oversight hinders the full realization of circular economy principles, underscoring the need for designers to integrate end-of-life strategies from the initial design phases to maximize material reuse and minimize environmental impact.

09

Source

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment

Exploring UAE's transition towards circular economy through construction and demolition waste management in the pre-construction stage–A case study approach

journal · 2023

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about designing for deconstruction is key to uae's circular economy transition?: Prioritize designing for disassembly and deconstruction from the outset of any construction project to achieve true circularity. Evidence: Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (2023).
Why does "Designing for Deconstruction is Key to UAE's Circular Economy Transition" matter for design?: For designers and engineers, this highlights a critical area for innovation. Integrating deconstruction principles early in the design phase can unlock greater material reuse and reduce landfill waste, aligning with global sustainability goals and potentially creating new market opportunities.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize designing for disassembly and deconstruction from the outset of any construction project to achieve true circularity.
What were the main findings?: UAE construction projects demonstrate positive initiatives in policies/strategic frameworks, design for waste prevention, use of prefabricated elements, and CDW management plans.. Designing for disassembly or deconstruction is notably absent in the studied cases.. The transition towards a circular economy in the UAE construction sector is still in its initial stages.
What research method was used?: Multiple Case Study.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Smart and Sustainable Built Environment.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing new buildings or renovations, explicitly plan for how components can be disassembled and reused or recycled at the end of the building's life.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on influential case studies in Dubai, which may not represent all construction practices in the UAE. Conventional building materials and methods are still prevalent.
Is there evidence that circular economy affects design outcomes?: The UAE construction industry is making strides in areas like waste prevention and prefabrication, but it's not yet effectively designing buildings for future disassembly and deconstruction, which is crucial for a complete circular economy approach. For designers and engineers, this highlights a critical area for innov Source: Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (2023).
Where does this disassembly deconstruction research apply?: Construction industry in the UAE, specifically Dubai. It sits within sustainability research on designdex.org.