Living lab on sharing and circular economy: The case of Turin

Cities with their innovative capacity are key places to address critical climate, environmental and health challenges. Urban experimentations, such as Living Labs, can represent a starting point to reintroduce resources into the production cycle and reduce environmental impacts, embracing the paradigm of the circular economy (CE). According to recent studies, Living Labs at a city scale could generate significant environmental benefits, improvements in quality of life and positive impacts on citizens’ health.1 This paper aims at presenting the case of the Torino Living Lab on Sharing and Circular Economy (LLSC) to point out possible future scenarios of urban sustainable policies. The case study is analysed in five sections: (1) the description of the new permanent laboratory proposed by the City of Turin; (2) the past experiences of Living Labs in Turin; (3) the birth of LLSC and the involvement strategy; (4) the introduction of the eight admitted experimentations. In the light of the results collected, the last paragraph (5) came up with the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Treaths (SWOT) analysis in the LLSC. Eventually, it deals with the research question by offering a common ground for global and local policies focused on sustainability and CE.

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Urban Living Lab as a Circular Economy Ecosystem: Advancing Environmental Sustainability through Economic Value, Material, and Knowledge Flows

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13052811 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 2811

Author(s):

Anil Engez ◽

Seppo Leminen ◽

Leena Aarikka-Stenroos

Keyword(s):

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Economic Value ◽

Knowledge Flows ◽

System Level ◽

Ecosystem Structure ◽

Dominant Type ◽

Urban Living ◽

Living Lab ◽

Living Labs

Environmental sustainability is an increasingly relevant aspect of urban living labs. The objective of this study is to examine an urban living lab through ecosystem approach lenses and reveal the actor activities and diverse flows between them, enabling sustainable urban development. The study examines an urban area through four living lab projects in the Hiedanranta district in Tampere in Finland. We apply a qualitative research design strategy including semi-structured interviews reinforced with the project reports and websites. The collaboration and co-creation nature of living labs resembles an ecosystem structure, as both include diverse complementary actors and have distinctive coordination mechanisms, shared goals, and system-level outcomes. Building on the ecosystem analogy and circular economy ecosystem typology, our study examines living labs as ecosystems, enabling the economic value flow, material flow, and knowledge flow and pursuing the shared goal of improved environmental sustainability. The findings of the study demonstrate how the different ecosystem types manifest in urban living labs, and the actors, flows, and outcomes in these ecosystems. The study concludes that urban sustainability-oriented living labs comprise all main types of circular economy ecosystems. The dominant type of the activities (biased to economic value, material, or knowledge) determines the ecosystem type in an urban living lab, highlighting a key topic for future research: The contribution of collaborative projects to environmental sustainability in urban living labs realized through diverse ecosystem types.

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Stasis Anxiety

10.1093/oso/9780198793762.003.0007 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew van der Vlies

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Civil War ◽

Black Writers ◽

Political Rights ◽

Ancient Greek ◽

Individual Subject ◽

Starting Point ◽

The Individual ◽

Past Experiences ◽

Contemporary Writing

Two recent debut novels, Songeziwe Mahlangu’s Penumbra (2013) and Masande Ntshanga’s The Reactive (2014), reflect the experience of impasse, stasis, and arrested development experienced by many in South Africa. This chapter uses these novels as the starting point for a discussion of writing by young black writers in general, and as representative examples of the treatment of ‘waithood’ in contemporary writing. It considers (spatial and temporal) theorisations of anxiety, discerns recursive investments in past experiences of hope (invoking Jennifer Wenzel’s work to consider the afterlives of anti-colonial prophecy), assesses the usefulness of Giorgio Agamben’s elaboration of the ancient Greek understanding of stasis as civil war, and asks how these works’ elaboration of stasis might be understood in relation to Wendy Brown’s discussion of the eclipsing of the individual subject of political rights by the neoliberal subject whose very life is framed by its potential to be understood as capital.

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Urban Living Labs, Circular Economy and Nature-Based Solutions: Ideation and Testing of a New Soil in the City of Turin Using a Multi-stakeholder Perspective

Circular Economy and Sustainability ◽

10.1007/s43615-021-00011-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Grazia Sveva Ascione ◽

Federico Cuomo ◽

Nicole Mariotti ◽

Laura Corazza

Keyword(s):

Circular Economy ◽

Stakeholder Management ◽

Participant Observation ◽

Green Roofs ◽

Exploratory Research ◽

Urban Living ◽

Natural Systems ◽

Living Labs ◽

Multi Stakeholder ◽

The City

AbstractIn the attempt to foster circular economy (CE), cities are increasingly adopting urban living labs (ULLs) as sites of co-production aimed at testing alternative solutions based on the reuse of products, reduction of consumption and recycling of materials. Taking this perspective, our study adopts an exploratory research design to discover the pragmatic implications emerging from a case study. The City of Turin joined proGIreg, a European project that entails the regeneration of former industrial districts by means of nature-based solutions (NBS). Ranging from aquaponics to green roofs, seven NBS have been experimented in Turin, which rely on the use of natural systems to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges efficiently and sustainably. Among them, the most promising is related to the production and test of the ‘new soil’, a blend obtained by mixing earth materials coming from construction sites with compost, zeolites and mycorrhizae. The case herein presented is interesting to analyse for the multi-stakeholder management setting used, where public institutions, private companies, research institutions, citizens and associations collaborated in the co-creation and testing phase of the NBS. Consequently, the data collected through participant observation and direct interviews allow researchers to describe multi-stakeholders’ dynamics and how they work. Thus, this paper narrates a micro-contextual experience while providing a critique. Results include an analysis of the unique combination of different stakeholders, which strongly impacted on the management and the effectiveness of the entire project. By consequence, the paper offers both theoretical contributions to the relational branch of stakeholder theory and practical evidence in demonstrating the importance of the relational branch of the theory over a more traditional transactional view.

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Advances on the Implementation of Circular Economy Techniques in Rural Areas in Colombia under a Sustainable Development Framework

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13073816 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 3816

Author(s):

Javier Rodrigo-Ilarri ◽

Camilo-A. Vargas-Terranova ◽

María-Elena Rodrigo-Clavero ◽

Paula-A. Bustos-Castro

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Waste Management ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Development Framework ◽

Starting Point ◽

Management Plans ◽

Good Starting Point ◽

Depressed Regions ◽

First Time

For the first time in the scientific literature, this research shows an analysis of the implementation of circular economy techniques under sustainable development framework in six municipalities with a depressed economy in Colombia. The analysis is based on solid waste data production at a local scale, the valuation of the waste for subsequent recycling, and the identification and quantification of the variables associated with the treatment and final disposal of waste, in accordance with the Colombian regulatory framework. Waste generation data are obtained considering three different scenarios, in which a comparison between the simulated values and those established in the management plans are compared. Important differences have been identified between the waste management programs of each municipality, specifically regarding the components of waste collection, transportation and disposal, participation of environmental reclaimers, and potential use of materials. These differences are fundamentally associated with the different administrative processes considered for each individual municipality. This research is a good starting point for the development of waste management models based on circular economy techniques, through the subsequent implementation of an office tool in depressed regions such as those studied.

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The Defining Characteristics of Agroecosystem Living Labs

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13041718 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1718

Author(s):

Chris McPhee ◽

Margaret Bancerz ◽

Muriel Mambrini-Doudet ◽

François Chrétien ◽

Christian Huyghe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Systems ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

External Factors ◽

Social Challenges ◽

Rural Living ◽

Living Lab ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Unique Nature ◽

Living Labs ◽

High Uncertainty

In response to environmental, economic, and social challenges, the living labs approach to innovation is receiving increasing attention within the agricultural sector. In this paper, we propose a set of defining characteristics for an emerging type of living lab intended to increase the sustainability and resilience of agriculture and agri-food systems: the “agroecosystem living lab”. Drawing on first-hand knowledge of case studies of large initiatives from Canada and France and supported by eight other cases from the literature, we highlight the unique nature of agroecosystem living labs and their distinct challenges with respect to their aims, activities, participants, and context. In particular, these living labs are characterized by exceptionally high levels of scientific research; long innovation cycles with high uncertainty due to external factors; and the high number and diversity of stakeholders involved. Both procedurally and conceptually, we link to earlier efforts undertaken by researchers seeking to identify urban living labs and rural living labs as distinct, new types of living labs. By highlighting what makes agroecosystem living labs unique and their commonalities with other types of living labs, we hope to encourage their further study and help practitioners better understand their implementation and operational challenges and opportunities.

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Circular Digital Built Environment: An Emerging Framework

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116348 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6348

Author(s):

Sultan Çetin ◽

Catherine De Wolf ◽

Nancy Bocken

Keyword(s):

Built Environment ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Digital Platforms ◽

Blockchain Technology ◽

Digital Twins ◽

Starting Point ◽

Building Information ◽

Framework Development

Digital technologies are considered to be an essential enabler of the circular economy in various industries. However, to date, very few studies have investigated which digital technologies could enable the circular economy in the built environment. This study specifically focuses on the built environment as one of the largest, most energy- and material-intensive industries globally, and investigates the following question: which digital technologies potentially enable a circular economy in the built environment, and in what ways? The research uses an iterative stepwise method: (1) framework development based on regenerating, narrowing, slowing and closing resource loop principles; (2) expert workshops to understand the usage of digital technologies in a circular built environment; (3) a literature and practice review to further populate the emerging framework with relevant digital technologies; and (4) the final mapping of digital technologies onto the framework. This study develops a novel Circular Digital Built Environment framework. It identifies and maps ten enabling digital technologies to facilitate a circular economy in the built environment. These include: (1) additive/robotic manufacturing, (2) artificial intelligence, (3) big data and analytics, (4) blockchain technology, (5) building information modelling, (6) digital platforms/marketplaces, (7) digital twins, (8) the geographical information system, (9) material passports/databanks, and (10) the internet of things. The framework provides a fruitful starting point for the novel research avenue at the intersection of circular economy, digital technology and the built environment, and gives practitioners inspiration for sustainable innovation in the sector.

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Implications of Lesson Study for Tertiary-Level EFL Teachers’ Professional Development: A Case Study From Turkey

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/21582440211023771 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 215824402110237

Author(s):

İlknur Bayram ◽

Fatma Bıkmaz

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Lesson Study ◽

English Language ◽

Research Question ◽

Teaching Style ◽

Language Teachers ◽

Student Thinking ◽

Pedagogical Content ◽

Starting Point

This qualitative case study carried out at a Turkish university with four English language teachers aims to explore what teachers experience in the planning, implementation, analysis, and reporting phases of the lessons study process and what the implications of lesson study for teacher professional development can be. Data in this four-month study were gathered through observations, interviews, whole group discussions, and reflective reports. Findings revealed that lesson study had potential challenges and benefits for the professional development of teachers. The model poses challenges in finding a topic and research question, determining the lesson design and teaching style, making student thinking observable and analyzing qualitative data. On the other hand, it benefited teachers in terms of increasing their pedagogical content knowledge, reflectivity, research skills, collaboration, and collegiality. This study suggests that lesson study might be a good starting point for institutions wishing to adopt a more teacher-led, inquiry-driven and collaborative perspective for professional development.

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The 3 C's of the Circular Economy for Food. A conceptual framework for circular design in the food system

DIID - No. 74 (2021) ◽

10.30682/diid7321h ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Franco Fassio

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Food System ◽

Raw Material ◽

Starting Point ◽

Development Goals ◽

Definition Of ◽

Open Question ◽

Circular Design

Food, the basic connecting unit of all the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, plays a crucial role in the ecological transition towards a circular economic paradigm. This paper takes scientific considerations as a starting point in order to contribute to the definition of a theoretical-operational framework in which to grow the Circular Economy for Food. This is a still-open question in a sector of the circular economy that is emerging as vital to sustainable development. The 3 C's of Capital, Cyclicality and Co-evolution offer a systemic, holistic vision of the food system's role. Within this conceptual framework, the designers can find the main boundaries of the system, within which to express their creativity. The aim must be to avoid damaging relationships with the best supplier of raw material known to humanity (Nature), respecting planetary boundaries and at the same time offering a fair space to civil society.

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Famiglia, sessualitŕ, riproduzione: un puzzle da ricomporre

PASSATO E PRESENTE ◽

10.3280/pass2009-077008 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 123-134

Author(s):

Stefania Bernini

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Gender Studies ◽

Common Ground ◽

Gender And Sexuality ◽

Common Language ◽

Starting Point ◽

Fruitful Cooperation ◽

The Relationship

- Family, Sexuality, Reproduction: an Unsolved Puzzle discusses the relationship between family history, gender studies and the studies of sexualities. Its starting point is the consideration that, perhaps surprisingly, disciplines and research interests apparently close have struggled to find a common language and a fruitful cooperation. Moving from a perspective of family history, this article explores causes and consequences of this apparent difficulty in finding a common ground between scholars of family, gender and sexuality and the possibility of overcoming it.Keywords: Family, Sexuality, Reproduction, Gender studies, Historiography, History.Parole chiave: Famiglia, Sessualitŕ, Riproduzione, Studi di genere, Storiografia, Storia.

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The Potential of Using Renewable Energy Sources in Poland Taking into Account the Economic and Ecological Conditions

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14227525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (22) ◽

pp. 7525

Author(s):

Mariusz Niekurzak

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Technical Specification ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Renewable Sources ◽

Starting Point

The aim of the manuscript was to present the collective results of research on the profitability of using various renewable sources in Poland with the greatest development potential. In the paper, the economic parameters of various investment projects were determined and calculated, i.e., Net Capital Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and the Period of Return on Invested Capital (PBT). The economic assessment of the use of RES technologies was supplemented with the assessment of environmental benefits. The ecological criterion adopted in the study was the assessment of the potential and costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions as a result of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy technologies. On the basis of the constructed economic model to assess the profitability of investments, it has been shown that the analyzed projects will start to bring, depending on their type and technical specification, measurable economic benefits in the form of a reduction in the amount of energy purchased on an annual basis and environmental benefits in the form of reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Moreover, the calculations show a high potential for the use of certain renewable sources in Poland, which contributes to the fulfillment of energy and emission obligations towards the EU. The analyzes and research of the Polish energy market with the use of the presented models have shown that the project is fully economically justified and will allow investors to make a rational decision on the appropriate selection of a specific renewable energy source for their investment. The presented economic models to assess the profitability of investments in renewable energy sources can be successfully used in other countries and can also be a starting point for a discussion about the direction of energy development. Due to the lack of collective, original and up-to-date research on the domestic market, the manuscript provides the reader with the necessary knowledge regarding the legitimacy of using renewable energy sources, investment and environmental profitability.

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