Circular economy housing

event

On Demand now available!

On Demand: Circular economy housing – making the shift

The recordings for the conference are now available. Full information about the event, including the program is available below.

Circular economy housing - making the shift

Thursday 9 May 2024; 9.00am-5.00pm

The build, operation and demolition of Australian homes contribute significantly to Australia’s embodied carbon emissions, which will continue to grow as more homes are built. In the face of the climate crisis and the housing affordability crisis, a shift to circular economy housing is urgently needed and requires multi-directional effort. This conference explored the findings from the AHURI inquiry, Informing a strategy for circular economy housing in Australia and facilitated a broader discussion about what it will take to decarbonise Australian housing through the full lifecycle from construction through to demolition.

This conference is for anyone involved in designing and delivering housing and housing products, investors, planners, policymakers at all levels of government, and anyone with an interest in reducing carbon emissions in the residential sector, including in community and public housing.

Program

Welcome

9.00-9.10am Welcome

Including Welcome to Country
Housing in a circular economy

9.10-9.30am Housing in a circular economy

CEO Circular Australia, Lisa McLean, will discuss circular economy developments in Australia and the critical role the housing sector must play.
Making the shift in housing

9.30-10.30am Making the shift in housing

Professor Ralph Horne will provide an overview of recent AHURI research into what it will take for the Australian housing sector to make the shift to circular.
Encouraging circular market behaviours
11.00am-12.30pm Encouraging circular market behaviours

This session will explore the policy opportunities that could make the greatest impact on shifting market behaviour in the residential sector. From regulation and planning through to incentives and subsidies, this panel discussion will consider how the resources of investors, building providers, local communities and investors can be directed toward adopting and investing in circular economy housing.

Speakers:
- Jorge Chapa, Green Building Council of Australia
- Alison Scotland, Australian Sustainable Built Environment
- Roger Swinbourne, Positive Futures Advisory
- Tim Wheeler, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Facilitator:
- Professor Ralph Horne, RMIT
Building capacity and capability for circular practice in the residential sector
1.30-3.00pm Building capacity and capability for circular practice in the residential sector

Meaningful decarbonisation will require major shifts in practices and materials. Success depends on buy-in across all levels of government, private industry, and education and training institutions. This session will discuss the opportunities and challenges for building the housing sector’s capacity and capability to meet the scale of change required.

Speakers:
- Ann Austin, Lendlease
- Julia Halioua, The Footprint Company
- Cathy Inglis, Think Brick
- Carrie Hamilton, Industry Advisor
Factilitator:
- Dr Michael Fotheringham, AHURI
International developments in policy and practice for circular economy housing
3.30-5.00pm International developments in policy and practice for circular economy housing

Lasse Lind, from world leading architecture and innovation firm 3XN/GXN will showcase low carbon and circular design and construction approaches being advanced in European cities, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

Discussion will include upcycling of 60's and 70's social housing earmarked for demolition; using sustainable and circular construction to maximise the lifespan of apartment buildings in a world of changing living patterns; and the world's first social housing development to be built using circular economy principles - Denmark's Circle House. International examples of policies to shape markets for sustainable and circular construction will also be discussed.

Speakers:
- Lasse Lind, GXN/3XN
- Professor Ralph Horne, RMIT University
- Alison Scotland, Australian Sustainable Built Environment
Facilitator:
- Dr Tom Alves, AHURI