MapCycle Fribourg

AI Quick Summary

MapCycle Fribourg anticipates material reuse by mapping the reuse potential of buildings before demolition. Using scanning, GIS data, BIM, and defined criteria (e.g. material condition, structural integrity), it creates digital reuse exposure maps at urban and building scales. The project enables early reuse decisions, reduces waste and storage needs, and promotes circular construction—offering a scalable solution for cities, architects, engineers, and reuse platforms. Brief Description:MapCycle Fribourg is a prototype project that anticipates material reuse by mapping the reuse potential of buildings prior to demolition. Using identification criteria, BIM digitisation, and GIS data, it creates digital reuse exposure maps at both the urban and building scale in Fribourg, enabling early reuse decisions and fostering circular construction.1. What challenge in the circular construction sector does your idea address? (max. 50 words)Decisions regarding reuse are often made too late during demolition, making it difficult to recover materials and elements due to insufficient planning and identification. As a result, valuable construction components are lost, increasing waste and hindering circular construction.2. What is your vision for solving this challenge, and why is your approach innovative? Who will benefit from a solution to this problem? (max. 200 words)MapCycle Fribourg aims to turn reuse into a proactive process by creating a spatial inventory of reuse potential prior to demolition. Based on defined criteria, we will use digitization and BIM to develop reuse mapping at two levels: the urban scale—targeting a neighborhood—and the building scale—3 to 5 buildings—to identify dormant reusable components in Fribourg. Reuse potential will be assessed based on criteria such as material condition, structural integrity, environmental impact, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, visualized through a digital map or dashboard. This innovation addresses the core challenge of storage in reuse practices; by mapping unused components, we eliminate the need for intermediate storage.The project supports architects, engineers, municipalities, and reuse platforms by offering early-stage visibility and governance of reuse opportunities and promoting urban mining. Backed by the canton, MapCycle Fribourg will raise public awareness and establish a scalable standard for circular construction, conserving resources and reducing waste in the industry.3. How could your idea positively impact the planet, people, or the economy in the future? (max. 100 words) MapCycle Fribourg reduces construction waste, minimizes material extraction, and extends the lifecycle of building components, thereby lowering embodied carbon. It fosters healthier urban environments by decreasing landfill usage. Economically, it reduces material costs and promotes a culture of circular construction in Fribourg, with the potential for wider adoption through viable and responsible business models.4. What assumptions or ideas do you want to test? What will you work on during the stimulation programme, and what is your goal by the end? (max. 200 words)We aim to test whether early-stage digital mapping of reuse potential can improve reuse outcomes. We will assess the feasibility of generating this at both urban and building scale, focusing on data accessibility, user interaction, and scalability. Key steps include: · Selecting a neighbourhood and a target area, along with 3 to 5 buildings in Fribourg. · Using existing GIS data, filtered through specific selection criteria, to map dormant components at the urban scale, then applying BIM for detailed mapping at the building level. · Building a digital reuse exposure map prototype, integrable into the Canton of Fribourg’s geoportal, using specific criteria such as material condition, structural integrity, environmental impact, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. · Testing the map with stakeholders (engineers, urban planners, reuse networks). Our deliverable will be a cartographic prototype showcasing a Fribourg urban area, highlighting key reuse data, user interactions, and necessary workflows—providing a blueprint for circular construction practices.5. Has your idea already been tested? If so, what were the results and what remains to be tested? (max. 100 words)MapCycle Fribourg's approach to early-stage reuse mapping using digitization and BIM at both urban and building scales is novel. While digitization and BIM are widely used in new construction, their application for proactive reuse exposure has not yet been tested. Building on the expertise of Fribourg’s Reuse Living Lab and the FriSource platform, this project will validate its feasibility with a focus on mapping accuracy and stakeholder engagement.6. Who is on your team, and what skills or roles do they bring? (max. 150 words)MapCycle Fribourg is led by Professors Joanna Nseir and Dario Redaelli from the Civil Engineering Department at HEIA-FR. Joanna specializes in structural steel and reuse strategies, leading the project’s digitization and mapping efforts. Dario, an expert in reinforced and ultra-high-performance concrete and circular construction, supports the development of urban-scale mapping and ensures alignment with sustainability goals. Camille Weil, representing the Canton of Fribourg, contributes her expertise in stakeholder engagement, visual communication, and sustainability. She plays a vital role in connecting government bodies, local communities, and industry partners, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment with regional policies and goals. Together, the team brings academic, technical, and practical knowledge to deliver a scalable reuse mapping prototype. They are well connected to local actors, including demolition companies, architects, and municipal authorities, ensuring strong support and relevant testing environments throughout the project.7. How do you plan to secure the required 10% third-party funding? (max. 100 words)The 10% co-financing required for MapCycle Fribourg will be provided by the Canton of Fribourg, which has committed to supporting this initiative. This financial support enables us to meet the funding requirements while strengthening collaboration with local authorities, allowing us to confidently focus on prototype development and testing.

Project Idea Metadata

Project Idea Name: MapCycle Fribourg
Date: 4/6/2025 6:32:42 AM
Administrators:
- Joanna Nseir

Project Idea Description

Brief Description:

MapCycle Fribourg is a prototype project that anticipates material reuse by mapping the reuse potential of buildings prior to demolition. Using identification criteria, BIM digitisation, and GIS data, it creates digital reuse exposure maps at both the urban and building scale in Fribourg, enabling early reuse decisions and fostering circular construction.

1. What challenge in the circular construction sector does your idea address? (max. 50 words)

Decisions regarding reuse are often made too late during demolition, making it difficult to recover materials and elements due to insufficient planning and identification. As a result, valuable construction components are lost, increasing waste and hindering circular construction.

2. What is your vision for solving this challenge, and why is your approach innovative? Who will benefit from a solution to this problem? (max. 200 words)

MapCycle Fribourg aims to turn reuse into a proactive process by creating a spatial inventory of reuse potential prior to demolition. Based on defined criteria, we will use digitization and BIM to develop reuse mapping at two levels: the urban scale—targeting a neighborhood—and the building scale—3 to 5 buildings—to identify dormant reusable components in Fribourg. Reuse potential will be assessed based on criteria such as material condition, structural integrity, environmental impact, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, visualized through a digital map or dashboard. This innovation addresses the core challenge of storage in reuse practices; by mapping unused components, we eliminate the need for intermediate storage.

The project supports architects, engineers, municipalities, and reuse platforms by offering early-stage visibility and governance of reuse opportunities and promoting urban mining. Backed by the canton, MapCycle Fribourg will raise public awareness and establish a scalable standard for circular construction, conserving resources and reducing waste in the industry.

3. How could your idea positively impact the planet, people, or the economy in the future? (max. 100 words)

MapCycle Fribourg reduces construction waste, minimizes material extraction, and extends the lifecycle of building components, thereby lowering embodied carbon. It fosters healthier urban environments by decreasing landfill usage. Economically, it reduces material costs and promotes a culture of circular construction in Fribourg, with the potential for wider adoption through viable and responsible business models.

4. What assumptions or ideas do you want to test? What will you work on during the stimulation programme, and what is your goal by the end? (max. 200 words)

We aim to test whether early-stage digital mapping of reuse potential can improve reuse outcomes. We will assess the feasibility of generating this at both urban and building scale, focusing on data accessibility, user interaction, and scalability. Key steps include:

· Selecting a neighbourhood and a target area, along with 3 to 5 buildings in Fribourg.

· Using existing GIS data, filtered through specific selection criteria, to map dormant components at the urban scale, then applying BIM for detailed mapping at the building level.

· Building a digital reuse exposure map prototype, integrable into the Canton of Fribourg’s geoportal, using specific criteria such as material condition, structural integrity, environmental impact, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.

· Testing the map with stakeholders (engineers, urban planners, reuse networks).

Our deliverable will be a cartographic prototype showcasing a Fribourg urban area, highlighting key reuse data, user interactions, and necessary workflows—providing a blueprint for circular construction practices.

5. Has your idea already been tested? If so, what were the results and what remains to be tested? (max. 100 words)

MapCycle Fribourg's approach to early-stage reuse mapping using digitization and BIM at both urban and building scales is novel. While digitization and BIM are widely used in new construction, their application for proactive reuse exposure has not yet been tested. Building on the expertise of Fribourg’s Reuse Living Lab and the FriSource platform, this project will validate its feasibility with a focus on mapping accuracy and stakeholder engagement.

6. Who is on your team, and what skills or roles do they bring? (max. 150 words)

MapCycle Fribourg is led by Professors Joanna Nseir and Dario Redaelli from the Civil Engineering Department at HEIA-FR. Joanna specializes in structural steel and reuse strategies, leading the project’s digitization and mapping efforts. Dario, an expert in reinforced and ultra-high-performance concrete and circular construction, supports the development of urban-scale mapping and ensures alignment with sustainability goals. Camille Weil, representing the Canton of Fribourg, contributes her expertise in stakeholder engagement, visual communication, and sustainability. She plays a vital role in connecting government bodies, local communities, and industry partners, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment with regional policies and goals. Together, the team brings academic, technical, and practical knowledge to deliver a scalable reuse mapping prototype. They are well connected to local actors, including demolition companies, architects, and municipal authorities, ensuring strong support and relevant testing environments throughout the project.

7. How do you plan to secure the required 10% third-party funding? (max. 100 words)

The 10% co-financing required for MapCycle Fribourg will be provided by the Canton of Fribourg, which has committed to supporting this initiative. This financial support enables us to meet the funding requirements while strengthening collaboration with local authorities, allowing us to confidently focus on prototype development and testing.