Understanding circular city policies as a discontinuation strategy: Policy insights from circular construction

Abstract

This policy brief encourages urban policymakers to embrace a stronger circular economy (CE) ambition by applying discontinuation policies. While discontinuation already plays a major role in sectors such as energy, cities have so far mainly focussed on supporting innovations in the CE transition. Using circular construction as an example, this policy brief demonstrates how to apply informational, economic, contractual, regulatory, and ownership-based policy instruments for discontinuation to improve the resource efficiency of urban built environments. Finally, we provide specific policy recommendations for developing an urban discontinuation strategy for circular construction.