Evaluating the effects of policies on building construction waste management: a hybrid dynamic approach

The construction industry, as a vital pillar of a country's economy, generates a significant amount of construction waste, which places a tremendous burden on the environment and society. Although previous studies have explored the impact of policies on construction waste management, there is a lack of a simulation model that can be easily used, taking into account the dynamic nature, generality, and practicability of the model. To fill this gap, a hybrid dynamics model of construction waste management system is developed using agent-based modeling, system dynamics, perceived value, and experienced weighted attraction. Based on relevant data from the construction waste industry in Shenzhen, China, the effect of five policies on contractor strategy selection and overall evolution is tested. The results indicate that industry rectification policy and combination policy can effectively promote the resource treatment of construction waste and reduce illegal dumping, pollution to the environment of waste and treatment process, and waste treatment cost. The findings of this research will help not only researchers better analyze the effect of construction waste policies but also policymakers and practitioners in proposing effective construction waste management policies.