In the heart of Indonesia, a professor is challenging the construction industry to think differently about the future. Mohammed Ali Berawi, from the Department of Civil Engineering at Universitas Indonesia, is advocating for a radical shift in how we design, build, and consume. His recent paper, published in the *Journal of Infrastructure Development* (known in English as the *CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development*), argues that the key to a sustainable future lies in circular economy principles and the innovative use of technology.
The architecture, engineering, and construction sector is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions and resource depletion. Berawi’s research highlights the urgent need for a paradigm shift towards circularity—a systems-based approach that prioritizes regenerative design, responsible consumption, and closed-loop resource use. “It’s not just about adopting greener practices,” Berawi explains. “It’s about rethinking the role of innovation in creating systems that can sustain our lives.”
The circular economy is emerging as a smart business model that balances environmental responsibility with profitability. It challenges businesses and cities to design products that are repairable, cities that are resource-aware, and systems that regenerate rather than deplete. Berawi emphasizes that this transformation requires more than just technology; it demands informed decision-makers, consumers, and designers who can navigate complexity and rethink waste as an opportunity.
Technology plays a crucial role in this transition. Advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can track materials from creation to disassembly and analyze data to find the best ways to repair, remanufacture, or recycle them. However, Berawi stresses that these tools are only as effective as the people using them. “Technology solutions can integrate circular economy principles from design to operation stages,” he notes, “but their ultimate success depends entirely on how people choose to use them.”
The circular economy is not built by technology alone but by a combination of different roles. It is driven by humans who think about a product’s second and third life before it is even made. It is shaped by business leaders who shift from selling disposable units to providing durable services. It is guided by policymakers who create rules that make it easier and more profitable to reuse materials than to discard them. And it is powered by a skilled workforce that can operate the advanced systems required for remanufacturing and recycling.
Berawi’s research underscores the importance of active citizen participation in the circular economy. By placing humanity at the core of this vision, we ensure that we are not just building a more efficient system but also a more resilient, equitable, and prosperous world. His work serves as a call to action for the construction industry to embrace circular economy principles and leverage technology to create a sustainable future.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and resource depletion, Berawi’s insights offer a beacon of hope. His research, published in the *CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development*, provides a roadmap for the construction industry to transition towards a more sustainable and regenerative future. By embracing circular economy principles and leveraging advanced technologies, we can create systems that sustain our lives and protect our planet for generations to come.