Circular built environment: How research supports a sustainable future

Growing cities, communities and societies need major infrastructure projects locally and nationally, putting circular-built environment principles in the spotlight.

As the UN reports, “cities consume 78 per cent of the world’s energy and produce more than 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, they account for less than 2 per cent of the Earth’s surface.”

A circular built environment keeps sustainability in mind. As One Planet Network summarises, “the circular economy is based on three principles, driven by design,”:

• Eliminate waste and pollution
• Circulate products and materials
• Regenerate nature [1]

At Holmesglen, research in this space is exploring how industry-led approaches to skills and training can support a sustainable future.

Holmesglen Education Manager, Major Projects and Tunnelling, Seun Oyekola is a 2026 International VET Practitioner Fellowship recipient, which is supported by the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) and the International Specialised Skills Institute (ISS Institute).

His fellowship is focusing on the circular built environment and will take him on international study tours across the UK and Europe.

Seun says his fellowship will examine:

• Circular construction and resource recovery
• Reuse and valorisation of tunnel spoil and excavation materials
• Workforce capability development for major infrastructure projects
• Digital technologies that support sustainable construction practices

Moreover, his research will provide Holmesglen with the following opportunities:

• Curriculum design
• Micro credentials
•  Industry partnerships
• Applied research initiatives

“The Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to bring international knowledge, industry insights, and innovative practices back to Holmesglen.

“It will support [our] efforts to align training with emerging industry needs, particularly in sustainability, circular construction, digitalisation, and infrastructure delivery.

“Ultimately, the fellowship will contribute to ensuring Holmesglen remains at the forefront of vocational education and workforce development for major projects and sustainable infrastructure,” Seun says.

Seun presenting his research at the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference

To support workforce capability and suitable outcomes in industry, education and training are key to first developing a skilled workforce.

Seun recently presented at the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference (WSBE26) in Melbourne. His key takeaways included:

• “Industry is seeking practical and scalable solutions, rather than isolated innovations, such as embodied carbon reduction, life cycle assessment, and material transparency
• “Collaboration is essential. A recurring message from keynote speakers and presenters was that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires educators, researchers, industry, governments, and communities to work together rather than operate in silos
•  “Vocational education has a vital role to play in translating emerging research into practical skills, training programs, and workforce development initiatives that support the transition to a more sustainable built environment.”

The connection between what is taught during training and what is undertaken in industry is important for sustainability outcomes. 

“For the tunnelling and civil construction industry, this includes reducing carbon emissions, reusing and repurposing materials, responding to climate resilience challenges, and ensuring projects leave a positive environmental legacy.

“Sustainability is no longer viewed as an optional consideration; it is becoming a fundamental requirement for project planning, delivery, workforce development, and long-term industry competitiveness,” says Seun.

Holmesglen’s Centre for Energy and Infrastructure has positioned its training around this need, with initiatives including:

• Developing training programs that address emerging sustainability challenges
• Supporting workforce readiness for renewable energy and transport infrastructure projects
• Embedding sustainability principles into vocational education and training programs
• Working directly with industry partners

Our Holmesglen strategic vision highlights being ‘environmentally sustainable’ as a core Institute goal. Learn more about our strategic roadmap.

If you would like to learn more about applied research at Holmesglen and how you can get involved, discover our Centre for Applied Research and Innovation.

[1] One Planet Network