This PhD research project focused on navigating and governing the transition toward a circular infrastructure sector in the Netherlands. Despite growing innovations and ambitions, implementation lags behind due to systemic barriers like fragmented understanding of circularity, insufficient knowledge diffusion, and risk-averse procurement practices. These challenges are compounded by the sector's interdependence of physical assets, social elements, and institutional dynamics.
The research explored this transition through a socio-technical systems lens, emphasizing the interplay between technological, institutional, and organizational factors. The study comprises five interconnected investigations. These include identifying systemic barriers, analyzing stakeholder perspectives on circularity, developing a governance principles, exploring organizational responses to circularity implementation, and examining innovation ecosystems to foster cross-sectoral collaboration for circular solutions. By doing so, it aims to bridge the implementation gap and provide strategic insights for achieving a sustainable and circular future in infrastructure.
The findings are presented in a PhD thesis and summarized in a booklet for Dutch practitioners. Moreover, various scientific publications have resulted from the separate studies within the PhD.
Publications
Coenen, T. B. J., Visscher, K., & Volker, L. (2023). A systemic perspective on transition barriers to a circular infrastructure sector. Construction Management and Economics, 41(1), 22–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2022.2151024
Vosman, L., Coenen, T. B. J., Volker, L., & Visscher, K. (2023). Collaboration and innovation beyond project boundaries: exploring the potential of an ecosystem perspective in the infrastructure sector. Construction Management and Economics, 41(6), 457–474. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2023.2165695
Wiarda, M., Coenen, T. B. J., & Doorn, N. (2023). Operationalizing contested problem-solution spaces: The case of Dutch circular construction. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 48(November 2022), 100752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2023.100752
Coenen, T. B. J. (2024). Governing the mission-oriented transition towards a circular infrastructure sector: From ideals to new socio-technical systems. PhD dissertation. https://research.utwente.nl/files/390894230/PhD_dissertation_-_Tom_Coenen_-_Governing_circular_infrastructure_transition_-_Digital.pdf
Praktijkversie PhD thesis. https://research.utwente.nl/en/publications/circulaire-infra-hoe-versnellen-we-de-transitie
People involved
