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Focusing on architectural beauty to reduce construction waste

Construction and demolition waste is the most substantial waste stream in developed countries, prompting policymakers to enhance circularity, recycling and recovery rates. While strategies that simplify deconstruction and promote material reuse are important, prioritizing architectural beauty offers a compelling solution to extend the lifespan of buildings, reduce construction waste and enrich urban environments.

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Fig. 1: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks J. Pallasmaa for his comments on an initial draft.

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Correspondence to Piotr Piotrowski.

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Piotrowski, P. Focusing on architectural beauty to reduce construction waste. Nat Rev Earth Environ 5, 749–750 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-024-00609-y

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