e79: Revolutionising Building Use: The Don't Waste Buildings Movement

04/11/2025 49 min

Listen "e79: Revolutionising Building Use: The Don't Waste Buildings Movement"

Episode Synopsis

The conversation revolves around the mission of Don't Waste Buildings, a movement aimed at promoting the reuse of existing buildings to combat climate change and reduce embodied carbon. The speakers discuss the challenges and opportunities in the built environment sector, emphasizing the need for policy reform, economic incentives, and community engagement to shift the focus from new builds to retrofitting existing structures. They highlight the importance of collaboration across various stakeholders and the potential for significant social and economic benefits through adaptive reuse of buildings.Find out more about Don't Waste Buildings here00:00 Introduction to Online Publications and Technical Glitches00:23 The Importance of Adaptive Reuse07:14 The Economic and Social Opportunities of Retrofit10:30 Changing Perspectives on Old Buildings12:49 The Role of Local Councils and Policy Implementation15:29 The Future of Building Development and Community Needs19:23 Lack of Vision in Politics21:07 Climate Responsibility and Governance22:17 Decarbonizing Construction23:26 Collaboration in the Built Environment29:08 Engaging Communities in Built Environment32:20 The Art of Persuasion in Climate Action36:15 Drivers of Change in Policy37:46 Financial Incentives for Sustainable Development44:46 Global Examples of Successful Policies

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