Regenalyze recently had the pleasure of organising a visit for a German delegation from Duisburg, Germany. This delegation, composed of experts from both the public and private sectors, embarked on an insightful tour through Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Almere, exploring pioneering circular economy initiatives and sustainable approaches.
Hof van Cartesius, Utrecht
Our journey began at Hof van Cartesius in Utrecht, a cooperative of creative circular initiatives where workspaces are constructed from waste materials. Though Hof van Cartesius may not be a blueprint for large-scale office buildings, it stands as an inspiring example of how reuse can be imaginatively applied in construction.
Amsterdam’s Circular Action Plan
In Amsterdam, Daan Jongejan from the City of Amsterdam presented the city’s ambitious Circular Action Plan. Backed by €17 million, the plan includes 70 initiatives focused on reducing waste and minimising the use of virgin materials. The measures also encourage repair and reuse: for instance, low-income residents receive rebates for shoe and equipment repairs. While legal barriers remain, the Circulaw initiative aids policymakers in exploring and expanding circular options.
Green Deal Build-in-Wood
Amsterdam’s Green Deal Build-in-Wood was another focus, with Bob van der Zande outlining the region’s goal of achieving 20% circular residential construction by 2025. Jurrian Knijtijzer, the managing director of Finch Buildings, showcased Timberhouse, a modular, timber-built apartment complex. The approach, combining prefabrication and wood, offers benefits including faster construction, reduced nuisance, and lower environmental impact over a building’s lifespan.
Almere: Circular and Biobased Innovations
In Almere, the CIRWINN facility, led by Tjibbe Winkler and Dick Schreuder, demonstrated methods for transforming used concrete into clean, reusable building materials with a reduced cement footprint. Additionally, Ingrid Zeegers from PRICE shared biobased projects, while Ria van Dijk emphasised the need for governmental leadership in advancing circular and nature-based building, even in the face of resistance. We saw four beautiful circular bridges that were made of bio-based materials and secondary materials materials from CIRWINN.
Some takeaways from the visit: