Beam me up

The Beam me up! project seeks to advance building stock models for circular urban development, enhancing model granularity and utility by incorporating diverse data sources to predict construction material streams for reuse, repurposing and recycling . This project leverages circular economy principles to support the building sector in reducing environmental impacts and fostering sustainable urban growth. To address gaps in current models, Beam me up! will integrate both top-down and bottom-up data, including spatial data, building codes, and specific building characteristics, to produce models that reflect real-world building stocks across varied regions with increased accuracy. By incorporating machine learning and advanced estimation techniques, we aim to enhance model granularity, which will allow for more precise predictions of material streams, supporting efficient resource efficient planning and circular strategies. One of the project’s key goals is to develop predictive geo-referenced models that assess material streams, enabling urban planners and policymakers to manage resources effectively during demolition and promote reuse in both renovation, reconstruction and new construction. Through predictive insights, Beam me up! will inform policy recommendations that encourage circular economy practices within public administration, enhancing sustainable construction and demolition standards and reducing the demand for new materials. Additionally, the project will develop and test design tools that integrate reused construction material data, making it more accessible for architects and engineers to incorporate sustainable materials in construction and renovation projects. By facilitating the practical use of reused construction materials and products, we aim to embed circular economy practices more deeply into the building and design sectors. To maximize impact, Beam me up! has a comprehensive dissemination strategy designed to engage diverse audiences and ensure broad knowledge transfer. Targeted communication efforts will include policy briefs and best-practice guides for urban authorities and public sector officials, alongside interactive workshops and webinars to foster multi-city knowledge exchange and collaborative learning. For academia, research findings will be shared at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications, contributing to the broader knowledge base in urban sustainability and circular economy practices. The project will also engage civil society through public-facing events and educational outreach, including workshops for students and resource kits for educators, fostering an early awareness of sustainability principles. Additionally, by hosting local demonstration events in participating cities and collaborating with the DUT Knowledge Hub, Beam me up! aims to establish a lasting impact by building a foundation for ongoing circular economy initiatives across Europe. This project envisions a sustainable future by enabling data-driven, circular urban development practices through advanced modelling and widespread engagement across sectors.