Bridging the gap; circular economy adoption in residential renovation through stakeholder lenses; stakeholder perspectives; professionals and non-professionals

Abstract

The construction and renovation sector is an major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, which has led to growing interest in circular economy strategies. While principles such as reduce, reuse, and recycle are increasingly adopted in new construction, their practical application in residential renovation remains limited and less studied. This thesis explores how circular economy principles are understood and applied in interior renovation projects by both professionals, including architects and project managers, and non-professionals, including homeowners and tenants. The study is based on a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with professionals and a quantitative survey distributed to residents. The findings show that although professionals are aware of the environmental benefits of circular strategies, they often face challenges such as limited time, unclear regulations, and concerns about the quality of reused materials. Knowledge of circular economy practices remains limited among non-professionals. These actors tend to base their decisions primarily on functionality, durability, and cost, placing less emphasis on the use of recycled or reused materials. The research identifies several enablers that could strengthen the use of circular economy in residential renovation, including clear policy support, incentives, better digital tools, and stronger collaboration between stakeholders. The study also emphasizes the need for targeted education to close the knowledge gap between professionals and non-professionals. By presenting both technical and behavioral insights, this thesis offers practical guidance for advancing sustainability in small scale renovation contexts and contributes to ongoing discussions about circularity in the built environment.