Industrial operations have been attributed to causing social and environmental problems such as: acid rain; greenhouse gas emissions, air, water and soil pollution; plus health problems to neighbourhood communities. With the 3P (people, planet, profit) approach for sustainability as the background, there have been movements to establish the concept of eco-industrial development in existing or new industrial areas from the planning stage onwards. Industrial ecology (IE) is the operation of an industrial ecosystem which is based on the principles of operation of a natural ecosystem. Industrial symbiosis (IS), one of the principal applications of IE, is defined as inter-firm collaboration, where a network of industries collaborates in exchange of products, by-products, information, resources and wastes to reduce their collective environmental footprint to achieve mutual benefits. / Industrial symbiosis is a collaborative process of industries geographically located in an industrial park, which facilitates and enables an exchange of products, by-products and wastes to reduce the collective adverse impacts of the emission during the operation of these industries. However, IS faces a number of barriers. Importantly, it has been identified that there is a critical impediment to implementing future IS practices in the area. This is because of the number of barriers such as technical, regulatory, commercial as well as informational. In addition, there is an absence of a proven and well established evaluation methodology to identify the benefits of such practice. The true implications of IS might therefore remain underestimated, thereby failing to convince industry, government and the community to realize the opportunities IS can bring in attaining goals of sustainability in their operations. / The aim of this PhD research was to develop and trial a method for capturing the life cycle environmental, social and economic implications of industrial symbiosis in heavy industrial areas. This research was based on multi-disciplinary approach of examining environmental, social and financial aspects to develop an integrated method. In the Kwinana industrial Area (KIA), the primary research area in Western Australia, the opportunities were significant for such industrial symbiosis to happen because of the co-location of diverse industries. The research hypothesis that informs this thesis is that the assessment of implications of present IS might bring further opportunities for enhancing symbiosis between industries. Though the primary emphasis of the research was in the Kwinana Industrial Area, this approach could be applied to other heavy industrial areas. This site could be significant both nationally and internationally in providing a platform for business responses to regional sustainable development challenges, by documenting best practice and improving approaches for implementing industrial symbiosis. / This research addressed the objectives by using the developed Six Capitals Model (SCM) for identifying environmental, social and economic benefits. The values under these dimensions were analysed with regard to natural, ecosystem, human, social, financial and manufactured capitals for a project of wastewater reclamation for industrial use. Under the environmental dimension, the model revealed that resource conservation and resource security were achieved as a result of the operation of this project. These results are in line with the argument that industrial symbiosis secures and conserves resources due to the possibility of reclaiming the resources that were once discarded. Water contamination has been reduced as a result of the operation of this project. This indicator shows that there is an improvement in maintaining the ecosystem capital. / In terms of human capital, sharing information between industries and opportunities of sharing infrastructure and technology has been improved. Regarding community capital, sharing of information between industries and communities, has increased as a result of this project. Collaboration of government bodies, level of understanding about IS projects due to increasing communication between various stakeholders, and increase of employment opportunities are notable, as value has been generated for community capital since the project started. In terms of financial capital of the project, the majority of the participants did not gain any financial savings in terms of direct costs but rather accrued short term costs. This was due to the infrastructure cost involved as part of installation of pipes and pumps. It was also due to the high cost of the reclaimed water than the scheme water. In addition, the analysis showed that most of the participants of the project did not gain any savings in the indirect costs such as hidden and legal costs, such as permit costs, compliance costs, future fines and penalties. However, as part of manufactured capital, there were savings due to improved business opportunities as well as infrastructure, for business and community collectively. / The results of this thesis show that broader benefits of symbiosis can be achieved, not only from operation of the project, but also from the influence of processes of symbiosis. Among them are connection, communication and collaboration between the project partners. There has been a substantial increase in the networking of industries and formation of multi groups for addressing various issues faced by industry and community in the Kwinana. There has also been a further increase in the transparency of information dissemination and communication through industries council’s website. In addition, there has been an improvement in the rate of participation of community members and groups in the Communities and Industries Forum (CIF) which resulted in the formation of further stakeholder groups by industries council as a platform for addressing the issues of industries and communities. / IS practices strengthen the EIP concept and increase the chances of sustainable industrial development regionally due to collaboration of community of businesses and local and regional community. IS also increases the reputation and license to operate in the community. There are many advantages for using the Model developed in the thesis to assess the benefits of IS. First, the values of ecosystem values maintained are able to be accounted for in addition to natural capital values. The Six Capital Model can also account human capital values in addition to community capital. The Model also accounted the manufactured capital in addition to financial capital and it gives an opportunity to identify the value generated towards community and companies. / Finally, the Model enables a calculation of the internal costs and external costs and benefits so that industries are able to understand the real cost of the projects. One of the main advantages of this method is that with, right indicators, the intangible values of the IS process can also be assessed and reported.

Positioned at the metaphysical divide between civilization and wilderness, this thesis investigates the potential for symbiotic relationships among cultural, ecological and industrial systems in an effort to suggest alternative modes for human sustainability. The City of Hamilton, where steel and iron industries continue to scar the landscape, serves as the location for a speculative design intervention. Amongst existing urban structures, a hybrid form of industrial production is proposed to acknowledge society’s reliance on artificial devices. In turn, this hybrid form is integrated with natural ecological processes to demonstrate humanity’s dependence on the natural world. The first chapter positions the thesis within a discourse regarding the boundary between civilization and wilderness and their conventional dichotomy. The thesis is aligned to themes of ecological-artificial hybridization, which include the scientific application of biological metaphors, economic and manufacturing theories of industrial ecology, and architectural and design methodology. Chapter two employs Complex Systems methodology to structure an analysis of Hamilton’s ‘intrinsic’ and ‘extrinsic’ systems. The city is considered within ecological, historical, cultural, industrial and economic contexts, at local and regional scales. Chapter three proposes an urban plan for Hamilton that seeks to regenerate and integrate ecological, cultural and industrial systems. Within the framework of this plan, industrial ecosystems can coexist with public function and ecological infrastructure in close proximity. Though designed for long term application, the plan is intended to provide context for a more detailed and immediate intervention within the scope of the thesis. Chapter four proposes the implementation of a speculative urban design, as a central component of the urban plan. Sited on the Stelco pier, one of the largest and oldest steel producers in Canada, the design would reclaim a pivotal historical and physical location along the Hamilton waterfront. Regeneration of the heavily contaminated industrial site will be initiated with a phased program of remediation and managed ecological succession. The new science of industrial ecology will inform this new development. This approach is based on a shift from ‘open loop’ systems, in which material and energy flows dissipate through processes of waste creation, towards ‘closed loop’ systems in which energy and material are recycled. A new Instrumental Matrix is proposed where decentralized cultural, ecological and industrial systems are interwoven to create diverse and sustainable habitats for wildlife, people and industry.

Positioned at the metaphysical divide between civilization and wilderness, this thesis investigates the potential for symbiotic relationships among cultural, ecological and industrial systems in an effort to suggest alternative modes for human sustainability. The City of Hamilton, where steel and iron industries continue to scar the landscape, serves as the location for a speculative design intervention. Amongst existing urban structures, a hybrid form of industrial production is proposed to acknowledge society’s reliance on artificial devices. In turn, this hybrid form is integrated with natural ecological processes to demonstrate humanity’s dependence on the natural world. The first chapter positions the thesis within a discourse regarding the boundary between civilization and wilderness and their conventional dichotomy. The thesis is aligned to themes of ecological-artificial hybridization, which include the scientific application of biological metaphors, economic and manufacturing theories of industrial ecology, and architectural and design methodology. Chapter two employs Complex Systems methodology to structure an analysis of Hamilton’s ‘intrinsic’ and ‘extrinsic’ systems. The city is considered within ecological, historical, cultural, industrial and economic contexts, at local and regional scales. Chapter three proposes an urban plan for Hamilton that seeks to regenerate and integrate ecological, cultural and industrial systems. Within the framework of this plan, industrial ecosystems can coexist with public function and ecological infrastructure in close proximity. Though designed for long term application, the plan is intended to provide context for a more detailed and immediate intervention within the scope of the thesis. Chapter four proposes the implementation of a speculative urban design, as a central component of the urban plan. Sited on the Stelco pier, one of the largest and oldest steel producers in Canada, the design would reclaim a pivotal historical and physical location along the Hamilton waterfront. Regeneration of the heavily contaminated industrial site will be initiated with a phased program of remediation and managed ecological succession. The new science of industrial ecology will inform this new development. This approach is based on a shift from ‘open loop’ systems, in which material and energy flows dissipate through processes of waste creation, towards ‘closed loop’ systems in which energy and material are recycled. A new Instrumental Matrix is proposed where decentralized cultural, ecological and industrial systems are interwoven to create diverse and sustainable habitats for wildlife, people and industry.

The construction and demolition (C&D) waste produced by the Canadian construction industry accounts for 27% of the total municipal solid waste disposed in landfills. However, more than 75% of C&D waste has residual value and, consequently, could be salvaged, recycled, and/or reused. The need for comprehensive and integrated waste management mechanisms, technologies, rating systems, and policies is widely recognized. A waste management hierarchy tool exists for reducing and managing waste that follows this order: preventing, minimizing, reusing, recycling, energy recovering, and finally, disposing of the waste. It appears that the highest level attained by the concrete industry in Canada is recycling (e.g., crushing concrete and using it as base aggregate). This study aims to explore the opportunities and barriers to advance to the next level in the waste management hierarchy by reclaiming concrete from decommissioned structures for reuse with minimal reprocessing. A survey was distributed to members of the Canadian concrete industry to answer two main sets of questions: 1) to what degree, if any, is the Canadian construction industry currently reclaiming waste concrete by recycling and/or reusing it? and 2) what is the perception of industry professionals on concrete reuse? What are the perceived benefits and challenges of such a practice? A total of 125 participants responded to the survey. Although the environmental advantages of concrete reuse were clear to all, views on the financial benefits were mixed. Many participants highlighted that a successful approach to concrete reuse should involve all parties and stakeholders. Overall, there is positive interest in the concept of concrete reuse; however, there is apparent uncertainty on how to approach it and, thus, there is a need for practical guidance to address various technical, logistical, and liability concerns in a comprehensive and holistic manner. Two cases studies – one for a bridge and one for a building – were developed to address some of the technical challenges associated with reusing concrete in structural applications. The case studies were based on local existing structures that were hypothetically disassembled then repurposed in conceptual redesigns. The design of connections to effectively recouple the deconstructed structural components was a focal, and challenging, aspect of the case studies; in support of shifting towards a circular economy, the connection designs were engineered to be reversible to facilitate future adaptation and/or further dismantlement. It is important to highlight that a desirable reuse project starts in the initial design phase, where the ultimate disassembly and repurposing of the structure is considered from the start (i.e., cradle to cradle design). However, since this is presently not mainstream practice, these case studies focus on the more complex task of deconstructing existing structures that were not designed with the intention of reuse. Although several challenges were encountered, this approach is an essential first step in the present framework to move the discussion forward in the context of reuse of structural concrete members.

Il est bien connu que l'écosystème industriel territorial représente aujourd'hui un enjeu majeur dans les politiques d’aménagement du territoire. De ce fait, il constitue un système d’action où les différents acteurs impliqués utilisent des différentes approches et dont les objectifs ne sont pas toujours proches et les points de vue parfois conflictuels. Toutes approches confondues, un type idéal de tableau de bord incorporant des indicateurs et centré sur le pilotage de la performance émerge aujourd'hui de la littérature.Dans ce contexte, il apparaît l'importance du traitement de la problématique d'évaluation d'un écosystème industriel territorial et plus précisément l'évaluation de la performance d'un système de distribution dans une zone portuaire : l’hinterland. Ce sujet n'a pas été assez développé dans la littérature puisqu’il n’a pas été traité selon une approche pluridisciplinaire.Cette problématique est caractérisée par la forte liaison entre l'infrastructure de transport, le système territorial et les zones logistiques suite à l'échange des flux de marchandises dans le territoire à travers l'infrastructure de transport. L'apport théorique de ce travail se présente dans la démarche originale d'investigation qui met en contribution des approches théoriques différentes dans le but de comprendre et résoudre une problématique relative à deux systèmes complexes (le système logistique et le système territorial). Pour plus de clarté, ce travail s'agit d'une aide à la décision à travers la réflexion sur les solutions de distribution en intégrant les spécificités territoriales et non pas comme un outil d'optimisation des tournées ou de l'organisation logistique. / It is well known that the territorial industrial ecosystem is now a major issue in territory planning policies. As a result, it constitutes a system of action in which the various actors involved use different approaches and whose objectives are not always close and sometimes conflicting points of view. In all approaches, an ideal type of dashboard incorporating indicators and focusing on performance pilotage is emerging today from the literature.In this context, it appears the importance of the treatment of the problem of evaluation of a territorial industrial ecosystem and more precisely the evaluation of the performance of a distribution system in a port area: the hinterland.This subject has not been sufficiently developed in the literature since it has not been treated with a multidisciplinary approach.This problem is characterized by the strong link between the transport infrastructure, the territorial system and the logistics zones following the exchange of goods flows in the territory through the transport infrastructure.The theoretical contribution of this work is presented in the original investigation approach, which involves different theoretical approaches in order to understand and solve a problem related to two complex systems (the logistics system and the territorial system).For clarity, this work is a decision aid through the reflection on distribution solutions by integrating territorial specificities and not as a tool for optimizing tours or logistics organization.

Abstract Industrial ecology provides the scientific and technological understanding upon which the increased environmental, economic and social efficiencies necessary to progress towards sustainability can be based. Industrial ecosystem is the creation of synergies between various industries, agriculture, and communities to profitably convert waste into valuable products or feedstock. Copper and nickel flash smelters developed by Outokumpu form the heart of the Harjavalta industrial ecosystem, which consists of thirteen different firms. The ideas found in Harjavalta industrial ecosystem consideration can be applied to carbon steelmaking and other related industry sectors to add product efficiency, improve energy utilization and start new local business, when different firms can concentrate to their own core know-how areas. When planning to add the amount of recycled material in steel production the waste oxides from steel industry, pyrite roasting residues and slags from the copper and nickel smelters are rich iron sources. When processing dusts, scales and sludge in the separate treatment plant, the main thing is that the primary production of the steel plant is not disturbed. The big problem when using secondary iron raw materials will be the contamination of steel by tramp elements similar to scrap based steel manufacture. Today's industry is facing significant change from the process related environmental thinking towards product based environmental thinking seen in the EU product policy. This will mean need for the research covering raw material acquisition, production, products, in-use phase, recycling and disposal. Steel has very unique properties, which can be improved, if steel manufacturers can concentrate on their core know-how area. The essential difference between the technical and natural systems is the human control. Based on the experiences of Harjavalta industrial ecosystem the occupational safety and accident security risk prevention should be included into the metaphor of industrial ecology. If we consider the human control in global scale the future development will depend on the ethical decisions made by humankind. / Tiivistelmä Teollisessa ekologiassa pyritään aine- ja energiavirtojen tutkimiseen siten, että jäljitellään luontoa lopullisena tavoitteena jätevirtojen eliminointi tai ainakin minimointi, jolloin se on osa kestävälle kehitykselle välttämätöntä ekologista, taloudellista ja sosiaalista toimintaa. Teollinen ekosysteemi on teollisuuslaitosten ja yhteiskunnan sekä mahdollisesti maatalouden synerginen liittymä, jonka avulla integroidaan tuotannon ja kulutuksen lohkot yhteen tavoitteena vähentää sekä raaka-aineiden kulutusta että ympäristöpäästöjä. Harjavallan teollinen ekosysteemi on syntynyt ja kehittynyt Outokummun kehittämän liekkisulatusmenetelmään perustuvien kupari- ja nikkelisulattojen ympärille. Harjavallan Suurteollisuuspuistosta saatuja ajatuksia ja kokemuksia voidaan soveltaa luovasti hiiliteräksen valmistukseen ja muihin vastaaviin teollisuuden haaroihin. Eri yritysten keskittyessä omalle ydinosaamisalueelleen voidaan parantaa raaka-aine- ja energiatehokkuutta sekä perustaa uutta paikallista teollisuutta. Terästeollisuuden hyödyntämättömät jäteoksidit, pyriitin pasuttamisesta saatavat pasutteet sekä nikkelin ja kuparin valmistuksen kuonat ovat potentiaalisia uusioraaka-aineita. Uusioraaka-aineille on kehitettävä hiiliteräksen valmistuksen pääprosessin viereen omat käsittelyratkaisut, sillä muuten rautapohjaisten poisteiden kierrätyksen ekologiset ja taloudelliset säästöt saatettaisiin menettää pääprosessin tuottavuuden laskuna. Ongelmallista on myös teräksen laatua haittaavien harmeaineiden kumuloituminen teräkseen, mitä tapahtuu myös käytettäessä romua uusioraaka-aineena. Kestävää kehitystä tavoiteltaessa täydennetään EU:n perinteistä prosessi- ja tuotantoyksikköperusteista ympäristölainsäädäntöä tuotelähtöisellä ympäristölainsäädännöllä. Säädöksissä huomioidaan laajemmin koko tuotteen elinkaari, jolloin tutkimuksen on katettava raaka-aineen hankinta, tuotanto, tuotteet, käyttö ja käytöstä poistoon liittyvä kierrätys tai sijoittaminen takaisin luontoon. Teräksen ainutkertaisia ominaisuuksia voidaan entisestään parantaa, jos teräksen valmistajat saavat keskittyä omalle ydinosaamisalueelleen. Teknisen järjestelmän sisältä löytyy aina ihminen suorittamassa tietoisen ohjauksen, mitä ei luonnonjärjestelmissä löydy. Harjavallan Suurteollisuuspuistosta saatujen kokemusten perusteella voidaan todeta, että työturvallisuus ja teollisuusonnettomuuksia ehkäisevä turvallisuustyö on otettava teollisen ekologian viitekehykseen. Jos tarkastellaan ihmisen vaikutusta globaalissa viitekehyksessä, voidaan todeta, että ihmisen vaikutus riippuu tulevaisuudessa tehtävistä eettisistä päätöksistä ja päätösten edellyttämistä toimenpiteistä.