Stocks and flows of materials in the built environment

A review into methods and data

Authors

• Satu Huuhka Tampere University
• Arto Köliö Tampere University
• Pirjo Kuula Tampere University
• Jukka Lahdensivu Tampere University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33357/ys.113003

Keywords:

sustainable development, planning, urban metabolism, methodology, material flow analysis

Abstract

This article presents a review into the methods for material stock and flow analysis in the built environment as well as the data available in Finland for conducting such analyses. In the face of the climate emergency, the requirements of sustainable development are introducing novel tasks to planning. In addition to creating a pleasant and a functional built environment, planning must take into account the use of materials induced by infrastructure and building construction as well as their embodied CO2. In practice, such analyses are probably subcontracted to specialised consultants. However, to successfully commission such work, planners responsible for the commissioning must have a basic understanding about the underlying methodologies and their data requirements.