Faced with growing environmental challenges and the depletion of natural resources, more and more cities around the world are turning to the principles of the circular economy to rethink their urban development models. Far from being mere local experiments, some metropolises have even become real pioneers in this field, deploying ambitious strategies to transform their metabolisms in depth.
Rethinking linear urban models
The challenge for these cities is to break away from the traditional linear economic model of ‘extract, produce, consume, throw away’ that has prevailed for so long. A model that has become unsustainable at a time when resources are becoming increasingly scarce and waste is piling up.
By adopting a circular economy approach, these cities aim to close the production and consumption cycles by reducing waste at source, optimising the use of available resources and encouraging their reuse and recycling.
This transition is essential if we are to build cities that are more resilient, less dependent on imports of raw materials, and capable of adapting to future environmental and economic shocks.
Amsterdam, a model circular city
Among the pioneers of the urban circular economy, the Dutch capital Amsterdam is leading the way with its ‘Amsterdam Circular’ strategy, launched in 2015. The stated aim is to become a 100% circular city by 2050, halving its environmental footprint.
To achieve this, Amsterdam is deploying a range of ambitious initiatives covering all aspects of urban life. The functionality economy is being encouraged, with the development of sharing and rental platforms for housing, offices and mobility.
Territorial industrial ecology is also at the heart of the strategy, with the creation of symbioses between companies to make the most of waste flows and by-products. Optimised waste management is also the subject of a specific action plan aimed at increasing recycling and reuse rates.
Paris, a circular capital
The City of Paris is not to be outdone, with its roadmap ‘Making Paris a circular city in 2050’, adopted in 2017. As well as deploying new recycling channels for construction waste and bio-waste, the French capital is also banking on the functional economy.
One concrete example is the development of neighbourhood concierge services, offering equipment such as drills and lawnmowers for hire. The city is also encouraging businesses to adopt circular business models, for example by supporting start-ups specialising in repair and reuse.
The eco-design of buildings is also a priority, with the aim of facilitating their dismantling and the future re-use of their materials. Finally, Paris is tackling food waste by developing ways of recycling unsold food and bio-waste.
Copenhagen, the avant-garde
But it is undoubtedly the Danish capital Copenhagen that is the most avant-garde pioneer of the urban circular economy. In 2015, the city adopted its « Circular Economy Plan » with the ambitious goal of achieving zero waste by 2025.
To achieve this, Copenhagen is banking on the development of reuse and repair centres, where citizens can drop off their used items for refurbishment and resale. Industrial ecology is also at the heart of the strategy, with the creation of symbioses between companies to make the most of their waste flows and by-products.
But beyond that, Copenhagen is also encouraging its residents to adopt new, more circular modes of consumption, for example by promoting the rental of goods rather than their purchase. The city is also training its residents in the challenges of the circular economy and involving them in the design of new circular urban services.
Multiple levers for action
Whether it’s a question of rethinking urban economic models, optimising resource and waste flows, eco-designing buildings or involving all stakeholders, these pioneering cities are showing the way to virtuous urban circularity. This paradigm shift is essential if we are to build cities that are more resilient, less dependent on imported raw materials, and capable of adapting to future environmental and economic shocks.
To achieve this, these metropolises are using a number of complementary levers. The functionality economy and the development of sharing and rental platforms make it possible to decouple the creation of value from the consumption of resources. Territorial industrial ecology and optimised waste management aim to complete production and consumption cycles by making the most of available resources.
But beyond these technical and logistical aspects, the transition to a circular economy also involves a profound change in attitudes and behaviour. That’s why these pioneering cities are placing such a strong emphasis on raising awareness and getting everyone involved, from citizens to businesses to public authorities.
By training, supporting and co-constructing new services and new circular economic models with them, these cities are laying the foundations for a genuine systemic transformation of their urban metabolism. This is essential if we are to meet the major environmental challenges facing our societies.
To facilitate the circular transition in your city and make the most of your unused resources, discover CircularPlace: the platform dedicated to the circular economy! CircularPlace offers you various solutions for reusing, reselling or recycling your unsold goods, second-hand equipment and waste in a virtuous way.
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