Work

Evaluating the development of macro infrastructural stocks in the Netherlands: Assessing factors driving historical material stocks growth

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Maintaining a constant macro-infrastructure stock requires significant material resources, which incurs an environmental cost. This study presents a detailed database of material stocks (steel, concrete, and asphalt) for macro-infrastructure (transport, energy, water, and utilities infrastructure) in the Netherlands. Using a bottom-up material stock accounting approach at high (25m² grid) resolution, we analyze the macro-infrastructure distribution across spatial and temporal scales. We examine 39 detailed infrastructure types in highway, railway, oil and gas, water, and utility aggregated infrastructure categories. Since 1950, material stocks have increase over fourteenfold, driven mainly by asphalt use in highways. Urban areas exhibit 3–4 times lower per capita stocks than rural areas, while material density per km² is 4-5 times higher in urban areas. Decomposition analysis reveals strong economic influences on historical stock growth. This research supports the sustainable transition of macro-infrastructure by quantifying existing material stocks, identifying growth factors, anticipate future needs, promoting circularity, and guiding investments.

Source: Resources Conservation & Recycling Advances

DOI: 10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200269

Authors: Md Faysal Tareq, Sebastiaan Deetman, Arnold Tukker

Institution: Leiden University

Language: English

Topic: Sustainability and Ecological Systems Analysis

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,290