D3.2 Recommendations for improving the capture of material flow data in the built environment

In the digital age, the potential benefits of capturing and analysing data are apparent in all areas of urban development. With this recognition, data and digital tools are core areas of research and development within the CIRCuIT project, with outcomes intended to support action both within and outside the project.

The knowledge base, however, is currently limited with respect to (a) the possible ways that data can support circular management of built environment material flows, (b) whether the data necessary to support circular management of material flows exists and is of sufficient availability and quality to the relevant stakeholders, and (c) what actions may be taken to fill any gaps in the availability and quality of the necessary data.

This report describes the methodology and findings of a research programme that investigated these knowledge gaps. The findings on the availability and quality of data were used to develop recommendations for how data could be improved or applied more effectively by practitioners, researchers, policymakers and other key stakeholders in support of a circular economy of built environment materials within cities.