This guide provides practical support for decision-makers in the demolition process. It addresses central dilemmas around environmental considerations, resource utilization, economics and safety, and presents structured methods for making balanced decisions that optimize both sustainability and project economics.
2020
22
Demolition of buildings is no longer merely a matter of removing unwanted structures. In today’s construction industry, demolition has become a complex process where decisions have far-reaching consequences for the environment, economy and future resource use. Each demolition contains dilemmas between short-term economic considerations and long-term sustainability goals.
Modern demolition projects require the weighing of multiple factors: How is the reuse of materials maximized? Which environmental impacts are accepted? How are safety considerations balanced with resource optimization? These questions require a systematic approach and clear decision-making processes where all relevant factors are included.
The guide presents a structured method for handling these dilemmas. It builds on experiences from Danish demolition projects and best practices within circular economy and sustainable demolition. Through examples and decision-making tools, the reader gets instruments to navigate the complexity of the demolition process.
Appendix
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Summary
The guide has been developed as a response to the construction industry’s increasing focus on circular economy and resource efficiency. It provides decision-makers with a structured foundation for handling the many dilemmas that arise in connection with demolition, and ensures that decisions are made on an informed basis with consideration for economic, environmental and safety aspects.
The guide contains:
- Mapping of typical dilemmas in the demolition process
- Decision matrices for weighing environment, economy and safety
- Methods for assessing recycling potential for different materials
- Tools for risk assessment in selective demolition
- Economic models for different demolition scenarios
- Checklists for environmental mapping and hazardous substances
Facts about this guide
The guide is published by Værdibyg with financial support from the organizations behind Værdibyg and Grundejernes Investeringsfond.
Who is the guide aimed at?
The guide is primarily aimed at building owners and their consultants who face demolition projects. It is also relevant for demolition contractors, environmental consultants and authorities working with approval and supervision of demolition projects. Project managers and sustainability officers will find particular value in the guide’s systematic approach to decision-making processes.
What you get from the guide
By following the guide’s recommendations, you can make more informed and balanced decisions in the demolition process. You get tools to identify and maximize recycling potential, minimize environmental impact and optimize project economics. The guide helps you document the decision basis and ensure that all relevant considerations are included in the process.
Background
The construction industry faces increasing demands for resource efficiency and circular economy. At the same time, the amount of buildings that need to be demolished or renovated is growing. This creates a need for more nuanced and systematic approaches to demolition, where traditional methods are replaced by selective demolition and high-value recycling. However, many decision-makers experience that they lack tools to handle the complex trade-offs between economy, environment and practical feasibility. This guide addresses this need by offering concrete methods and tools based on current knowledge and practical experiences.
Involved practitioners and editors
The authors have been assisted by the following group of practitioners:
Bygherreforeningen
Helen Glindvad Kristensen (Gladsaxe Kommune)
Mikkala Toft (Region Hovedstaden)
Ole Lund (Boligkontoret Danmark)
Peter Toftsø (Halsnæs Kommune)
Stig Hansen (Roskilde Kommune)
Danske Arkitektvirksomheder
Christian Wittrup (Lendager UP)
Signe Lynge Nielsen (Rubow Arkitekter)
Trine Ivarsen (CCO Arkitekter)
DI Byggeri
Anders Strange Sørensen (Enemærke & Petersen A/S)
Andreas de Gier (Enemærke & Petersen A/S)
Benny Aldershvile (Hvidberg A/S)
Kasper Sørensen (Søndergaard A/S)
Rasmus Krag (G. Tscherning A/S)
Tommas Salomonsen (Tsolusion)
Other
Emil Bille (Dansk MiljøAnalyse)
Filip Lau (JORD•MILJØ A/S)
Observer
Mads P. Gede (DI Byggeri)
Værdibyg
Nina Koch-Ørvad
Stephan P. Sander
Consultants and authors
Katrine Hauge Smith & Rikke Juel Lyng (Teknologisk Institut)
