RESEARCH

The need for social housing in the Netherlands has grown with the arrival of asylum seekers. Today there is an estimate of approximately 150.000 housing shortages in the Netherlands. And it is expected that by 2020 this number will grow to about 300.000. That is 4% of the total current supply of housing. Although the circular economy is increasingly known, the actual implementation is still practically unknown. Especially in the construction sector, a conservative industry, a translation of the circular economy seems to be absent. This is not directly related to the fact that there is no long-term vision in the construction sector. However, it does provide an opportunity to take a closer look at the current production process of social housing.

The components of most homes are all attached together in a way that is difficult and expensive to disassemble and reuse in a new building. As a result, a large number of materials are thrown away. Houses are mainly being demolished due to socially problematic neighbourhoods and not because of the technical lifespan. Think Wonen construction company wants to become a circular company. With this research improvements have been made in the design of the production process of social housing that at the time facilitates circularity. The transition from a linear economy to a circular economy plays an important role in this.