ABSTRACT
Housing development construction practices significantly contribute to global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and waste, and pollution. Because of its purchasing power, public procurement can stimulate sustainable practices in housing development among SMEs to transition to a circular economy. This study explores public procurement as a strategic policy tool to transition to a circular economy among SME housing developers. The study employed qualitative research using semi-structured interviews with 22 purposively selected public procurement officials and SME developers involved in housing development in Lusaka, Zambia. The collected data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that public procurement can promote a circular economy among SME housing developers. The study shows that achieving a circular economy requires implementation of legislation and monitoring in collaboration with industry stakeholders. Further, the study findings inform policy in strategically designing public procurement to advance sustainable built environment practices in housing development.
