What is the optimal scale and location of circular timber hubs in Amsterdam?

Timber Loops.

Amsterdam has the goal of reusing 50% of construction materials by 2050. However, moving material from demolition to construction sites is a challenge.

Should the hubs be built in one site? Or should small hubs be distributed all over the city?

hub number gif

We find that 29 is the ideal number of hubs in Amsterdam. This would maximize CO2 reductions, while matching supply and demand, and minimizing costs.

Our model optimizes the number of hubs at different scales. It helps to foster circular economy practices in construction, while always matching supply and demand for material reuse.

Timber Loops.

This study explores the implementation of circular timber hubs throughout Amsterdam. These hubs intend to increase the reuse and recycling of materials from demolition sites to be used for new constructions. We find that the ideal number of hubs in the study area is 29.

Taking advantage of predicitve datasets for urban planning, the spatial scale and location of these hubs can be identified at various scales and locations. Ultimately increasing the potential for resource reuse and fueling a circular economy.

Team


  • Carlo Ratti Director (SCL)
  • Tanya Tsui Research Lead & Visualization
    (TU Delft, SCL)
  • Fábio Duarte Research & Design Manager (SCL)
  • Titus Venverloo Research (SCL)
  • Tom Benson Research (SCL)
  • Elizabeth McCaffrey Web & Visualization (SCL)

Publication

Press

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The material on this website can be used freely in any publication provided that:

  • it is duly credited as a project by the MIT Senseable City Lab
  • a PDF copy of the publication is sent to senseable-press@mit.edu

In Collaboration With

  • TU Delft Delft, Netherlands

    • For more information,

    senseable-contacts@mit.edu

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