Developing an assessment framework for circularity in dike reinforcement projects
Summary
In the Netherlands, the objective of the Ministry of Infrastructure & Environment is to realise a full
circular economy in 2050, where an intermediate goal of a 50% reduction in primary resource use in
2030 should be realised. In the coming thirty years, 1300 kilometres of dikes in the Netherlands must
be reinforced to cope with rising sea levels caused by climate change. These dike reinforcement
projects must conform with the circularity objectives of the government.
To support improved implementation of circularity in DR projects, this study conceptualised circularity
in this context based on a literature review and interviews with practitioners in the sector. In this
conceptualisation, circularity is considered a tool to maintain resource stocks, protect the environment
and retain the value of objects/materials. This resulted in six categories that must be considered; the
categories treat topics like the quantity of material use, the circular characteristics of input and output
materials, the inclusion of future perspectives and interests in designs, the impact of material use, and
the uncertainty of the data.
To track the progress of circular implementation in DR projects, an assessment framework was
developed that compares different dike designs using the six categories from the conceptual
framework. Each category has measurable aspects that can be used to determine a score for each
category. To determine the final circularity score, each category is assessed and weighted depending
on the perceived importance to circularity of an expert panel. In this way, circularity can be measured
and assessed in DR project during the entire life cycle