Researcher: Floris Droste
Project Duration: June 2024 – December 2024
Project Partner: Witteveen & Bos
Research Objective:
This research consists of two objectives: firstly, to identify and analyse the working rules that hinder or promote the level of circularity in ADPs in the Netherlands, and secondly, to operationalise these rules to help in improving circularity in future ADPs. The reasons for different actions and interactions of stakeholders can be explained by uncovering the existing working rules. This includes mapping the identified working rules within the project timeline and at what KDM they take place. Using this mapped timeline of the working rules, the consequences of the decisions over time can be seen. Therefore, the impact of the different working rules on the circularity can be identified. Stakeholders can make better-informed decisions by knowing the working rules when they apply them in the process, and whether they hinder or promote circularity. Understanding the consequences of different decisions and which working rules to adjust can help improve circularity.
The primary consideration will be circularity, but the other consequences of the decisions for the other circularity pillars will also be determined. This is done so the stakeholders can make the best decision towards circularity, but this decision may preclude one of the other four sustainability pillars. An example could be reusing existing structures to improve circularity, but this could preclude improvement to sustainable mobility due to the structure's location. The decisions can also complement each other; when more materials like wood are reused, fewer trees will be cut down, contributing to biodiversity.
The first research result is identifying the existing working rules, how they relate to each other, and their influence on the level of circularity. Understanding the working rules will help understand the reasons behind the actions and interactions of stakeholders in ADPs in their day-to-day business. This information will be used to assess how circularity is included in the current practice and what can be done to adjust these rules to improve circularity in daily practice.
The second research result will consist of a practical, usable product, tool, strategy, or some other hod that informs the stakeholders of the consequences of their decisions at the project's KDM. This result is based on identifying the working rules, their impact on circularity, how they can be adjusted to contribute to the level of circularity, when to change them at what KDM, and what consequences the circularity choices have on the other four sustainability pillars.