Circular Buildings

The Circular Buildings project promotes the transition of the construction and real estate sector in the Helsinki metropolitan area toward a carbon-neutral circular economy. The aim of the project is to support the development of sustainable and circular economy-compliant solutions, while also promoting the efficient use of the existing building stock. The goal is to keep the natural resources already used in existing buildings in circulation for as long as possible by both extending building lifespans and encouraging the reuse of materials generated during demolition.

The project implements a joint innovation challenge between the cities of Espoo, Helsinki, and Vantaa, where companies can test and develop their solutions in an urban environment. The project enhances the cities’ expertise in circular procurement, increases awareness of market-ready solutions among cities, and strengthens cooperation and knowledge exchange between the metropolitan area and the InnoCities network. The project also develops city processes to better support the circular economy: for example, by creating a scalable process for the temporary use of spaces and an operational plan for conducting circular demolition processes.

Espoon kaupunki
Helsingin kaupunki
Vantaan kaupunki
HSY

1.11.2024 – 31.10.2026

808 260 €
EAKR: 484 956 €

The target group of the Circular Buildings project includes SMEs that develop services, products, and business models promoting the circular economy and high-value-added bioeconomy. Research organizations, cities, and other stakeholders also play a key role. The project’s objective is to co-develop and implement sustainable solutions that extend the life cycle of existing buildings. Circular Buildings increases the competitiveness of the Helsinki metropolitan area while advancing the green transition.

Companies participating in the project can test smart and sustainable circular economy solutions, technologies, and services related to construction in real urban environments. The project creates new business development opportunities for companies. Companies can combine their expertise with that of other companies, RDI actors, and the cities around key themes in construction circularity. Solutions are sought for jointly defined challenges through the innovation challenge, and these solutions are piloted in real urban settings.

Together with stakeholders, the project co-develops new steering mechanisms and operational models that cannot be achieved through current statutory urban planning tools or fast enough via the market alone to meet the challenges of sustainable urban structures.

In addition, the project generates knowledge about the benefits of circular economy and the effectiveness of related actions to support decision-making. The outcomes of the project comprehensively demonstrate how the Helsinki metropolitan area is promoting construction circularity, innovation, and more environmentally friendly practices in the building sector.

At its core, the Circular Buildings project aims to comprehensively advance construction circularity, innovation, and environmentally friendly practices in the construction industry. At the same time, it supports regional innovation and business development, strengthening the vitality, growth, and competitiveness of the Helsinki metropolitan area—particularly in the fields of construction circularity and high-value-added bioeconomy.

The cities of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa, together with HSY, are seeking new circular economy-based construction solutions through a joint innovation challenge as part of the Circular Buildings project. Selected solutions may be piloted at various sites across the Helsinki metropolitan area. The market dialogue is conducted jointly, after which each city may proceed with its own procurement based on the challenge.