CURE+ – Centres for Urban Resources, Reuse and Remanufacture
Educating municipalities on circular economy practices and fostering its uptake to reduce household-related construction and demolition waste in four European municipalities.
Circular Economy Climate Policy Municipalities Waste
Project info
Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Netherlands, Spain
12/22 - 03/25
Local governments, Public sector, Private sector, Non-governmental organisations, Educational institutions, Civil society
833,598.70 €
Contact info
Ieva Kalniņa
- Riga Municipality ("Riga Energy Agency")
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS)
- Elisava, Barcelona School of Design and Engineering
- Municipality of Kavala
- Tartu City Government
Background
Construction and demolition waste is the largest waste stream in Europe, accounting for 36 per cent of Europe’s total waste by weight with about 340 million tonnes between 2010 and 2018. The European Union’s (EU) Waste Framework Directive aims to prevent and reuse 70 per cent of this waste. By transitioning to circular economy practices – such as reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, and upcycling –, the EU aims at reducing the pressure on natural resources as well as at creating sustainable growth and jobs. However, recycling construction waste poses difficulties, as most of what is currently recovered is downcycled instead of recycled, resulting in losing most of its value.
Group visit at the culture centre Latsādija in Riga ©Inga Pelša, REA
Project
In cooperation with municipalities, non-governmental organisations, and civil society, the CURE+ project develops urban resource centres aiming to increase the reuse or upcycling of construction materials to reduce CO2 emissions and unnecessary resource depletion. The project brings together 5 partners from 5 countries – namely Estonia, Greece, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Spain – to increase the prevention, reuse, remanufacture, and upcycling of household-related construction and demolition waste (CDW). It will educate four participating municipalities on applying best practices for recovering CDW. This supports them in applying the circular economy practices adapted to their specific needs and, in the long term, contributes to a sustainable and resource-efficient society.
Results
- Strengthening reuse and upcycling in the construction industry: The CURE+ project promoted the prevention, reuse and valorisation of construction and demolition waste in the cities of Riga, Kavala, Tartu and Barcelona. An Urban Resource Centre (URC) was set up in each city with its own focus - from wood reuse in Riga and upcycling projects in Kavala to material depots in Tartu and the Elisava Material Depot in Barcelona. Through these practical programmes, construction companies, municipalities and citizens have learned to actively reuse materials, thereby reducing waste and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The URCs create sustainable structures for circular building practices and serve as a transferable model for other cities in Europe.
- Knowledge transfer and tools for the urban circular economy: CURE+ equipped cities with knowledge, tools and real-life application examples to adapt circular economy in construction to local needs. The pilot initiatives showed in concrete terms how building materials can be kept in closed loops and utilised more efficiently. The insights gained offer cities clear guidance for their own measures and are now regarded as a model and reference for other urban circular economy initiatives.
- Practical implementation and long-term impact: The operational URCs and the cooperative project structure provided concrete examples of resource-efficient urban development. Cities can directly adopt the CURE+ methods to close their own material loops in construction. As a result, the project strengthens technical planning expertise, promotes sustainable building practices and has an impact beyond the duration of the project.
Last update: January 2026