The construction industry is one of the most environmentally detrimental industries in the world, impacting directly the use of raw materials, their determination of use involving the whole lifecycle, as well as all their surrounding environment. This article examines the potential of deconstruction, a selective dismantling of building components for reuse, repurposing, or recycling, as a sustainable alternative to traditional demolition in the construction industry. It highlights that while the sector’s shift from a linear to a circular economy is nascent, adopting deconstruction can reduce resource use and landfill waste. The study analyses strategies to minimise urban environmental impacts through deconstruction and proposes common principles applicable across different construction types and materials. Its goal is to support circular economy implementation by integrating sustainable design and planning practices focused on building circularity.
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