Utilising Existing m²: Towards Sufficiency in the Built Environment
In the declaration from 2023 by the Nordic Ministers for Construction and Housing they recognise the potential in preserving and developing existing building stock as a contribution to reduced emissions. Findings and knowledge from our previous work packages, and good work in the sector turned our attention to how existing m² can be utilised more efficiently. One of the findings was the Hierarchy of Resource-Efficient Construction, first developed in Finland’s national architectural policy programme (2022–2035), which offers a clear framework for sufficiency. It outlines five priorities:
- Utilise the Existing
- Maintain + Care
- Renovate + Transform
- Extend Existing
- Build New (as Last Resort)
At the top of the hierarchy stands the principle of making the most of what is already built. Complementing this framework Circular Building Coalition published in 2024 Four Circular Building Pathways towards 2050: Build nothing, Build for long-term use, Build with the right materials and Build efficiently. Across Europe, a growing number of projects, tools and policy initiatives demonstrate how existing floor area can be mapped, adapted and repurposed to reduce emissions and resource use.
The City of London requires a Circular Economy Statement for major developments, including pre-development and pre-demolition audits, as well as operational waste management plans.
Read more about Circular Economy Statement in London here
In Denmark, the “Bevar Mere” (Sustain More) initiative has mapped over 60 tools and projects on renovation and transformation, showing strong potential for both social and environmental benefits.
Read more about Bevar Mere here
Maintenance + Care
Maintenance and small-scale interventions are vital to prolonging building lifetimes and preventing unnecessary demolition. In Sweden, Boverket’s 2025 proposal suggests embedding resource efficiency as a principle in the Planning and Building Act.
Read the Planning and Building Act here
Renovate + Transform
When change is needed, transformation and renovations potentially deliver significant environmental and climate benefits compared to new construction. Here are some cases of inspiring transformations:
In Malmö’s Varvsstaden – once a historic shipyard district – existing industrial buildings are being transformed rather than replaced. The development leverages a comprehensive “materials bank” – cataloguing, storing and reusing steel, brick, stairs, lamps and other elements from dismantled buildings – to inform new design. Over its 25‑year build‑out, it aims to repurpose some 80% of on‑site materials, blending heritage preservation with homes, workplaces, green public spaces and a one‑kilometre promenade. This material-centric approach, backed by digital documentation and a commitment to reuse onsite materials, not only reduces embodied carbon and material waste but also preserves the industrial character and heritage of the area.
Read more about Varvsstaden here
In the heart of Brussels, the former Fritz Toussaint barracks are being redeveloped into a mix-use district with university facilities, housing and public spaces called the UR Square. Eighteen original buildings are being retained, with materials reused on site and complemented by bio-based finishes and renewable energy, creating a new hub for research and community life by 2028.
Read more about UR Square here
Copenhagen's Thoravej 29 retains its structure while integrating reused elements reducing embodied carbon by 62% compared to new construction. Thoravej 29 is one of 12 inspiring examples of reuse of load-bearing structures in single-family homes, schools, as well as commercial and industrial buildings. Each of the 12 cases includes a description of the transformation, an estimate of the CO2 savings compared to new construction and reflections from builder, engineer and architect.
Read about the Danish cases of reuse of load-bearing structures here
A Supportive Policy Landscape
Research also points to the importance of supportive policy frameworks. The Policies Enabling Reuse of Construction Products report highlights that harmonised standards, clear legal definitions of reused materials and stronger public procurement criteria are key enablers for scaling reuse across Europe. Meanwhile, the Toolbox for Future-Proof Construction offers practical guidance for planners, designers, and policymakers to embed life-cycle thinking, adaptability and design-for-disassembly principles in both new and existing projects.
We recognise that regulatory approaches can differ from country to country. Some solutions may involve easing existing requirements, while others may require new rules or stronger enforcement. We are therefore particularly interested in learning which regulatory measures have proven effective in practice – whether through simplification or by introducing new obligations.