Benefits
What are the benefits of adopting a regenerative, circular approach to development?
Circular cities are resilient, waste-free, low carbon, resource efficient, resilient and ecologically regenerated urban systems. These circular urban systems are transformed through the creation of circular resource flows ( recycling, reuse and energy recovery); integration of blue-green infrastructure and activities which Regenerate ecosystem services; the creation of adaptable infrastructure and processes enabling transformation of urban communities in response to hazards and long-term socio-economic, cultural, technological and environmental change.
| Circular Cities: What Are the Benefits of Circular Development?By Jo Williams Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5725; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105725 If cities could become regenerative and adaptive urban ecosystems, in which resource loops were closed and waste was obsolete, their ecological footprint would diminish. In addition, urban resource security would increase, the health of urban populations would improve and urban greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced. These are the principle goals under-pinning the circular city. Circular cities emerge through the process of circular development. Circular development alters cities’ systems of provision to enable circular practices of inhabitants to develop. This manifests as circular food systems and construction, water and nutrient recycling; adaptive reuse of spaces and pop-up activities; bioremediation of contaminated sites and integration of blue-green infrastructure throughout cities. To transform our cities will require significant investment, political support and public engagement. If the benefits of adopting such an approach can be identified, this will begin to make the case for support. The research presented in this paper draws on an inductive and deductive content analysis of relevant literature and interviews with those implementing circular projects in European cities (London, Paris, Amsterdam and Stockholm). It provides a clear definition of the normative concept of circular development. It creates a framework of benefits which are likely to accrue from adopting this approach. It points to the synergistic benefits emerging from circular development. It also highlights problems around valuation of those benefits, the unintended consequences of circular development and the inequalities in accessing benefits across society. |
Director of the Circular Cities Hub
Professor Jo Williams
LinkProfessor Jo Williams is the founder and Director of the Circular Cities Hub. She is an expert in regenerative, low carbon, resource looping and adaptive urban systems. She has acted in an advisory capacity for international organizations including: UN Habitat, UNEP, European Environment Agency, European Investment Bank and OECD. She has also been engaged by nation states, consultants and cities to advise on the implementation of ecologically regenerative urban systems. She is the author of over 100 publications, including two books - Circular Cities: a revolution in urban sustainability https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429490613 and Zero Carbon Homes - A Road Map, both published by Routledge.