The new IUCN report Circular construction policies for nature was officially launched on 26 March 2026 during Urban Future 2026 – The Better Cities Event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, one of Europe’s leading gatherings of urban change‑makers. IUCN and Holcim were co-sponsors of the event.
The launch took place during the session “Swiping Right on Unlikely Partners”, which explored how collaboration across sectors can accelerate nature‑positive and resilient urban development. Among others, the session featured IUCN, ARUP and Holcim, which led on the development of the report. The session formed part of Urban Future’s highlight programme, bringing together city leaders, practitioners, civil society and the private sector to reflect on how unconventional alliances can unlock new solutions for cities.
The report explores how cities can use circular construction policies to reduce environmental impacts and support nature‑positive outcomes. It examines the role of urban policy and governance in shifting the built environment towards regenerative practices, drawing on city‑level case studies to illustrate how construction, material use and urban development can contribute to restoring nature while meeting social and economic needs.