A new report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation champions a shift to a “nature-positive circular economy” to combat climate change and global challenges while driving economic growth in Europe.
Building Prosperity offers a framework for policymakers, business leaders, investors, and industry experts to embrace a new design-and-build approach that reduces waste and conserves natural resources, all while creating jobs.
The report estimates that a nature-positive economy, one that prioritizes reuse, could create over 110 million jobs globally in the building and infrastructure sector. Revitalizing brownfield sites, converting vacant buildings, salvaging and refurbishing materials, and other jobs linked to the circular economy could generate EUR 575 billion of potential annual revenue across the built environment value chain by 2035.
What’s more, many of these jobs would have low-entrance barriers, promoting the inclusion of marginalized workers. For example, in the EU, a social enterprise can create an average of 70 jobs per 1,000 tons of materials collected, according to the report.
Building Prosperity outlines six strategies to revolutionize Europe’s built environment:
1. Redevelop Brownfield Sites
• Transform disused industrial and commercial lands into vibrant, mixed-use developments.
Swaths of former industrial sites can be repurposed. Take Ginkgo's project in Lyon, France, where a former factory site is being turned into an eco-district. This 4.5-hectare plot will soon boast over 40,000 square meters, including 35% green space with 200 trees and an urban farm.
2. Convert Vacant Commercial Buildings
• Repurpose underutilized commercial buildings into residential and mixed-use spaces.
Many European cities are adopting policies that encourage the conversion of vacant commercial buildings into residential properties. These include incentives for developers, streamlined approval processes, and support for sustainable building practices.
3. Increase Tree Canopies
• Expand urban green spaces by planting more trees and enhancing green infrastructure.
Incorporating tree canopy expansion into wider urban redevelopment projects ensures that green infrastructure is a key component of city planning. The result? Improved air quality, reduced urban heat island effects, and enhanced urban resilience to climate change.
4. Expand Green-Blue Spaces
• Integrate water features and vegetation into urban landscapes.
Enhancing biodiversity improves water management, reduces the risk of flooding, and provides recreational spaces for communities. Green-blue spaces would also help cities adapt to climate change by managing heat and water more effectively.
5. Employ Material-Efficient Design
• Design buildings to use fewer materials and optimize the use of low-impact materials.
The report cites Amsterdam’s HAUT Building, which uses timber-hybrid construction, as an example of material efficient design. The use of timber significantly reduces carbon emissions, with the building storing around 1,800 tons of CO2. Also, the lighter floor plates means more efficient transportation via truck, reducing deliveries and minimizing disruption to surrounding areas.
6. Use Low-Impact Materials
• Prioritize the use of recycled, bio-based, and low-carbon materials in construction.
Low-impact materials significantly reduce the environmental footprint of construction by minimizing resource depletion. This strategy not only lowers greenhouse gas emissions and protects biodiversity but also offers long-term economic benefits through cost savings and the creation of new market opportunities.
“This study shows that a targeted set of investable and scalable actions in the built environment sector represents a significant economic opportunity for Europe, increasing resilience, competitiveness, and the vibrancy of its cities,” the report says.
