According to the Circularity Gap Report 2020, a mere 8.6% of the global economy wascircular in 2019. The Global Status Report 2018 declares that building construction and operationsaccounted for 36% of global final energy use and 39% of energy–related carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions. The Paris Agreement demands that the building and construction sector decarbonizesglobally by 2050. This requires strategies that minimize the environmental impact of buildingsand practices extending the lifecycle of their constituents within a circular resource flow. To ensurethat eective measures are applied, a suitable method is needed to assess compliance in materials,processes, and design strategies within circular economy principles. The study’s assumption is thatsynthetic and reliable indicators for that purpose could be based on reversibility and durabilityfeatures. The paper provides an overview of building design issues within the circular economyperspective, highlighting the diculty in finding circular technologies which are suitable to enhancebuildings’ service life while closing material loops. The results identify reversibility and durability aspotential indicators for assessing circular building technologies. The next research stage aims to furtherdevelop the rating of circularity requirements for both building technologies and entire buildings.

No abstract

The paper describes some studies conducted by the author, about low impact materials and, particularly, on alternative uses of biomass materials for building materials. Italy needs to develop renewable energy sources and agriculture offers many opportunities: biomass, vegetable residues for livestock breeding, food industry waste, organic waste, solid biofuels, biogas, and biofuels, will be the new renewable energy sources. Researches for promoting sustainable development, including chemistry field are increasing interest in the exploitation of vegetal biomass, in particular waste as a raw material for production of bio-products and biofuels. Not always, however, the use of waste materials such as biomass is the most appropriate, or in any case, the one with less energy expenditure. As ever more evident, in fact, the construction sector is approaching the possibility of using these materials for other purposes, combining the demands of saving natural resources, the need for energy efficiency in buildings and production processes.

translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

No abstract