Boosting circular construction in Brussels

Last November perspective.brussels and Brussels Environment, partners in the ASSET project, hosted a workshop exploring how inter-regional cooperation can tackle challenges of the circular economy in the built environment.

ASSET (A Spatial Strategy for the Eurodelta, Boosting a Circular Built Environment) is an EU-funded project that reunites partners to explore how the Eurodelta region can become a blueprint for a circular built environment.

The workshop in November is a part of a series of local and regional workshops hosted by the different partners: Amsterdam, Province of South Holland, Brussels and Krefeld. The aim is to develop a strategic perspective on space constraints for circular economy in different local contexts and explore how collaboration on the level of the Eurodelta could provide solutions.

What do different sectors need to advance circular practices? And how can urban, regional, and supra-regional spaces and cooperation support the transition? These questions were the starting point for the Brussels workshop, bringing together participants from regional governments, academia and private companies.

Circular economy in action

Many interesting initiatives are already in place in the Brussels region when it comes to circular economy in the built environment. For instance, SHIPIT is testing smart reverse logistics systems for the return of waste materials from construction sites, and Woodpark, a hub for reclaimed wood construction material is under development in the region. Upscaling these efforts is critical to closing the ‘planning gap’ between the current and future circular built city.

Case study: Schaarbeek-Vorming as a model for circular planning

Schaarbeek-Vorming is a former major railway hub in northern Brussels with a rich industrial history. but over time it has become underutilised, and a large part of the marshalling yard will undergo redevelopment.

The workshop main conclusions highlight that with excellent water, rail, and road connectivity, and the presence of industrial functions next to it, the site has strong potential for the circular transition. It could become a space where start-ups can grow and develop synergies with larger companies, while honouring its industrial heritage and identity. However, a strong integrated governance is needed to create and maintain the identity of this potential circular industrial park and realise this vision at the operational level.

Expanding the vision to the Eurodelta

For the Brussels region, working within the Eurodelta offers opportunities to share resources and materials that currently aren’t available in one location. The matching of demand/supply at the Eurodelta scale should be enabled by sustainable transport and shared data systems. This supra-regional approach could transform the way materials flow and meet the region’s circular ambitions.

Through ASSET, Perspective will continue to explore the challenges of planning for the circular economy at the regional and supra-regional scales. The lessons from ASSET and perspectives for the future will be discussed in Brussels during the final conference to take place on 21 May 2025. Save the date!