Circular economy in developing countries – Sustainable construction practices in Kenya

Authors

  • Cinzia Maria Luisa Talamo Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
  • Christian Jonathan Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
  • Nazly Atta Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
  • Giancarlo Paganin Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69143/2464-9309/17182025

Keywords:

circular economy, construction sector, construction and demolition waste, developing countries, sustainable development

Abstract

The article explores Circular Economy practices in the construction sector in Africa and, in particular, in Kenya, investigating how practices of reuse of construction products can lead to economic, environmental and social benefits. Although the Circular Economy is still a new topic in most African countries, some conditions can stimulate the interest of the sector: the growing investments in construction, the increase of construction and demolition waste and the significant presence of informal activities that reuse construction products reveal opportunities to develop appropriate circularity strategies. A ‘circularity for affordability’ approach is proposed as a strategic lever to fight poverty, exploring the following paradigm shifts: from linear to circular material flows; from unstructured supply chains to entrepreneurial networks; from informal settlements to affordable housing.

 

Article info

Received: 17/03/2025; Revised: 27/04/2025; Accepted: 29/04/2025

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Author Biographies

Cinzia Maria Luisa Talamo, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

PhD, she is a Full Professor at the Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering (DABC). Her research interests include building maintenance, facility management, ICT applications for building management, circular economy and industrial symbiosis.
E-mail: cinzia.talamo@polimi.it

Christian Jonathan, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

He is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering (DABC). His research interests include the circular economy and affordable housing in African countries.
E-mail: christian.jonathan@polimi.it

Nazly Atta, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

PhD, she is a Researcher at the Department of Architecture, Construction Engineering and Built Environment (DABC). Her research interests include digital and ecological transition, circular economy, ICT applications for circularity and sustainability in building design and management processes, facility management and building maintenance.
E-mail: nazly.atta@polimi.it

Giancarlo Paganin, Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

PhD, he is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU). His research interests include circular economy and environmental sustainability, process management in the construction sector, risk management and management of buildings.
E-mail: giancarlo.paganin@polimi.it

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Alternative solution 1: load-bearing masonry in Twist Block (credit: the Authors, 2025). AGATHÓN 17 | 2025

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Published

30-06-2025

How to Cite

Talamo, C. M. L., Jonathan, C., Atta, N. and Paganin, G. (2025) “Circular economy in developing countries – Sustainable construction practices in Kenya”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 17, pp. 270–283. doi: 10.69143/2464-9309/17182025.

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