Pioneering the transition to a circular building sector: Initiatives from the Netherlands

The transition to circular building sector requires radical changes in the way how we design, construct, use and transform buildings. In international comparison the Netherlands is one of the circular pioneers. This paper introduces and discusses innovative initiatives that position the Netherlands as a frontrunner in the transition to a circular building sector. In the last 10 years the concept of the circular economy has become an important topic on international agendas. The European Union and various member states have developed strategic plans for a transition towards a resource-efficient economic framework according to the principles of a circular economy. In international comparison the Netherlands have emerged as one of the pioneering countries in the transition to a circular building sector (ETC CE, 2022) and the Circular Gap Report 2022 called the Netherlands “a circular frontrunner" (Circle Economy, 2022). This paper briefly introduces the context of the Dutch buildings sector and highlight key actions that are making the Netherlands one of the leading countries in the transition to a circular building sector.