A Future-Proof Built Environment through Regenerative and Circular Lenses—Delphi Approach for Criteria Selection

Henrique Sala Benites (), Paul Osmond and Deo Prasad
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Henrique Sala Benites: School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Paul Osmond: School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Deo Prasad: School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-33

Abstract: Despite the increasing use of neighbourhood sustainability assessment tools (NSAT), their linear approach may be insufficient to tackle the global and local social and ecological challenges. The circular economy (CE) has recently emerged as a new pathway, adopted by corporations and public organisations. Understanding how to apply CE to existing communities, while addressing some of its shortcomings, particularly the strong focus on resource management, is the main goal of this paper. Building upon a Regenerative Circularity for the Built Environment (RC4BE) conceptual model that merges circular economy and regenerative design concepts, a framework with criteria for its implementation in the transition of existing urban areas is proposed. A preliminary framework structure with criteria mapped from literature is proposed and validated through a 2-round Delphi consultation with 31 international experts. The final framework, with 136 criteria, addresses some of the identified gaps and different urban cycles related to physical resources, ecosystems, liveability, infrastructure, governance, participation, local economy, and other socioeconomic aspects of urban communities. This expanded take on CE should be useful for built environment professionals and other urban stakeholders interested in regenerating their communities and precincts by going beyond current green approaches and existing tools to effectively generate positive impact for people and the planet.

Keywords: circular economy; climate change; Delphi technique; key performance indicators; social and ecological boundaries; regenerative design and development; sustainability framework; sustainable urban planning; urban regeneration; urban transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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