Construction and demolition waste management in Kosovo: a survey of challenges and opportunities on the road to circular economy

Abstract

Managing Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is a severe and growing urban challenge, particularly in post-conflict countries. Though Kosovo has significantly rebuilt and developed after the Liberation War, these initiatives have accompanied suboptimal waste management. This research evaluates CDW management in Kosovo by assessing current practices and operations vis-a-vis the legal framework and EU requirements. It identifies instruments and policies capable of ameliorating gaps and proposes a more sustainable and circular CDW management system for Kosovo. Information was primarily collected during on-site visits to Pristina and the surroundings by a cohort of Urban Management Students from the Technische Universität Berlin, students from Kosovo, and the local office of the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ. The analysis identified gaps in Kosovo's CDW management and its observance and enforcement of existing CDW legislation, including an ambiguous licensing system impeding sustainable demolition, storage, and transport; the absence of approved CDW storage options leading to uncontrolled disposal; and an underdeveloped market for recycling and reuse, deterring stakeholders from further pursuit of circular practices. These gaps were compounded by poor recordkeeping, obscuring precise information on CDW streams. Possible instruments and incentives to support Kosovo's transition to a more sustainable CDW management system were then identified.

A Roadmap for Reducing Construction Waste for Developing Countries

“…Scholars from around the world have made great efforts to concentrate on a wide range of CW topics and issues, including the circular economy [17][18][19], an environmental management plan [16], waste management approaches [20][21][22], quantifying and qualifying CW [23][24][25][26], the causes of CW [3,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34], and waste reduction [35].…”

“…The most crucial cause under this heading for Türkiye is the ToM.06 "Inadequate protection during material unloading" with NMV:0.99. This situation can be solved by clearly defining the protection methods used in unloading contracts and specifications between transportation and construction companies [32].…”

Cybersecurity considerations in the implementation of innovative waste management technologies: "A critical review"

“…Teshome suggests that improving cybersecurity practices is essential for enhancing the overall performance of waste management systems and protecting them against cyber-attacks (Teshome, 2021). Alite et al (2023) evaluate construction and demolition waste management in Kosovo, identifying gaps in current practices and opportunities for moving towards a circular economy. The research highlights the ambiguous licensing system, the absence of approved storage options, and an underdeveloped market for recycling and reuse as significant challenges.…”

Achieving a Sustainable Transportation System via Economic, Environmental, and Social Optimization: A Comprehensive AHP-DEA Approach from the Waste Transportation Sector

“…Currently, the waste management sector is one of the main concerns that impact environmental, social, and economic aspects [48]. As a result, sustainable development has been recognized as a critical requirement that the waste management industry should take into consideration [49]. Although, all waste management operations and processes have a direct influence on the environment [50].…”