THE LCA OF A BUILDING AS A TOOL TO IMPLEMENT THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY MODEL IN MEXICAN CONSTRUCTION

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.3173192305066

• Palavras-chave: construction, sustainability, circular economy, life cycle analysis, buildings, resource optimization

• Keywords: construction, sustainability, circular economy, life cycle analysis, buildings, resource optimization

• Abstract:

  In order to apply the Circular Economy model in the construction sector, multiple tools are required to measure the circularity of its products and processes. This work proposes to use the Life Cycle Analysis for this purpose, modifying it to be able to adapt it to the study of buildings, transforming the way in which resources are managed in each of the stages of the life cycle: planning and design, construction, use and maintenance, and end of life. The evaluation of the economic and social impacts is not left aside, as well as the text explains how we can guarantee the greatest efficiency in each of these. There are still several barriers that prevent the full development of this methodology, such as the lack or inefficiency of communication between the agents involved, the inexistence of indicators to measure ecological, social and economic performance, as well as the fact that there are very few technological tools that can be applied for this analysis. However, there are already actions that are being carried out to guide us towards this transformation, in 2021 the General Law of Circular Economy was issued, which demonstrates Mexico's interest in adapting to new needs, where a balance is achieved between the innovation, social welfare and environmental sustainability.