scholarly journals ICT as innovative tools for circular planning in urban areas

2021 ◽  
pp. 96-103
Author(s):  
Francesca De Filippi ◽  
Carmelo Carbone
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Digital Tools

The challenges related to the implementation of a circular economy at an urban scale have scarcely been studied or critically interrogated. This contribution aims to define the possible ways in which ICT can be used to stimulate and monitor circular actions on an urban scale. Four urban subsystems have been identified from which circular urban programmes can be linked, providing benefits for numerous categories of stakeholders. This work investigates the main possibilities offered by the use of ICT and the most recurrent functionalities associated with and implemented by digital tools. Finally, among indicators that already exist in the literature, this work identifies a strategy to monitor the effects of the actions on the ecosystem.

scholarly journals Canadian smart cities: a case for the circular economy in the age of "smart" innovation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vickey Simovic
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Technology Innovation ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Digital Innovation ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
A Priority ◽  
Further Development

The Canadian Smart Cities Challenge enabled municipalities across the country to reflect on how smart city technology can be used to solve their unique community challenges, embrace the possibility of impactful projects, create collaborations, and create a suite of digital tools. This paper analyses whether governments can be catalysts in adopting circular economy thinking in the age of digital innovation. In reviewing the SCC applications, five proposal submissions were analysed in depth against a circular economy framework. Recommendations for further development in smart city thinking centre around future Smart Cities Challenges, and building circular assumptions into the challenge questions, whereby ensuring circular principles are a priority for municipalities as they continue to grow and adapt to smart city technological advances. Key words: Smart Cities Challenge, circular economy, smart city technology, innovation, sustainable,​ ​reuse, sharing, remanufacturing and repurposing

scholarly journals WHY DO (W)EEE HOARD? THE EFFECT OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR ON THE RELEASE OF HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTS INTO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Detritus ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 18-33
Author(s):  
Ariadne Wilkinson ◽  
Ian D. Williams
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Home Entertainment ◽  
Entertainment Products ◽  
Very High

Home entertainment (HE) products are particularly rich in metals and plastics and thus have enormous potential as a source of materials from within Distinct Urban Mines (DUMs). Consumers’ end-of-life (EoL) management decisions (i.e. stockpiling, hoarding, reusing, discarding of WEEE) strongly influence the exploitation potential of a DUM. This study aimed to assess the effect of consumer behaviour on the release of HE (W)EEE into the circular economy. A survey was undertaken in Southampton (Hampshire, UK) to assess perceptions and behaviours relating to the EoL management of HE (W)EEE. The study provides previously unavailable data and critical evaluation on the ownership, use and hoarding levels of HE EEE in a typical city DUM, and the reasons behind their hoarding. Results indicated that ownership levels were very high, with an average of 12 home entertainment items owned per household. This makes urban areas extremely plausible as DUMs; we estimate that there are over 1 million HE devices owned and ~440,000 HE devices hoarded in Southampton and >150 million HE EEE owned and ~61 million HE devices hoarded in UK households. Hoarding is common, especially for smaller or older equipment, due to their perceived residual value. HE product lifecycles averaged 4-5 years. The most common EoL routes were donating to relatives, friends or charities; hoarding; recycling; or discarding items in general refuse. To encourage the recovery of EoL HE equipment: i) convenient and accessible WEEE collection points should be established for regular (periodic) harvesting and ii) promoted via awareness campaigns and incentives.

Fostering Circular Economy in Urban Areas

2022 ◽  
pp. 165-178
Author(s):  
K. Orkun Aktaş ◽  
Can B. Aktaş
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Best Available Technologies ◽  
Design For X ◽  
Product Service ◽  
Efficient Manufacturing

The 21st century is an urban world. Strategies that aim to tackle the urban material challenge and promote circular economy are necessary to achieve sustainable development. Having established the importance of circular economy towards sustainable development, this study presents applicable strategies to reduce consumption and promote circularity specifically in urban centers. Main strategies may be categorized into three areas: reducing material use through better design, efficient manufacturing and processing, and more intensive recycling. For materials use reduction, dematerialization, appropriate design based on product service lifetime, design for X principles and extended producer responsibility are identified as prominent design approaches or policies. For effective manufacturing and processing, the implementation of best available technologies and additive manufacturing were identified to have potential significant impact. For end-of-life phase management, differences between upcycling, recycling, and downcycling require targeted industry-specific policies.

scholarly journals Understanding Computational Methods for Solar Envelopes Based on Design Parameters, Tools, and Case Studies: A Review

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miktha Farid Alkadri ◽  
Francesco De Luca ◽  
Michela Turrin ◽  
Sevil Sariyildiz
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Infrastructure ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
Urban Heat

The increasing population density in urban areas simultaneously impacts the trend of energy consumption in building sectors and the urban heat island (UHI) effects of urban infrastructure. Accordingly, passive design strategies to create sustainable buildings play a major role in addressing these issues, while solar envelopes prove to be a relevant concept that specifically considers the environmental performance aspects of a proposed building given their local contexts. As significant advances have been made over the past decades regarding the development and implementation of computational solar envelopes, this study presents a comprehensive review of solar envelopes while specifically taking into account design parameters, digital tools, and the implementation of case studies in various contextual settings. This extensive review is conducted in several stages. First, an investigation of the scope and procedural steps of the review is conducted to frame the boundary of the topic to be analyzed within the conceptual framework of solar envelopes. Second, comparative analyses between categorized design methods in parallel with a database of design parameters are conducted, followed by an in-depth discussion of the criteria for the digital tools and case studies extracted from the selected references. Third, knowledge gaps are identified, and the future development of solar envelopes is discussed to complete the review. This study ultimately provides an inclusive understanding for designers and architects regarding the progressive methods of the development of solar envelopes during the conceptual design stage.

scholarly journals New Policy Framework with Plastic Waste Control Plan for Effective Plastic Waste Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 6049
Author(s):  
Sun-Kyoung Shin ◽  
Namil Um ◽  
Yong-Jun Kim ◽  
Na-Hyeon Cho ◽  
Tae-Wan Jeon
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Control Plan

With an increasing use of plastic, considerable plastic waste is generated, threatening the environment and public health. In particular, changes in living patterns in urban areas have significantly impacted the rate at which plastic waste increases every year. Thus, governments in many developed countries have implemented numerous policies to reduce plastic waste generation. Among them is the concept of circular economy that aims to protect the environment from plastic pollution and promote growth and innovation in industry and human life through overall changes in designing, producing, using, and recycling plastic products. The Korean government has implemented the Resource Circulation Act (RCA), which includes the concept of circular economy and resource efficiency policy for overall waste management. Following the concept of RCA, the Plastic Waste Control Plan (PWCP) was established for the comprehensive management of plastic waste. Therefore, this study introduces the goals and strategies of PWCP, which has a circulation system of four stages of production, consumption, discharge, and recycling, as well as the major roadblocks in the stages impeding the achievement of the goals and strategies. This study also suggests countermeasures at the government level for solving the major problems in the four stages.

scholarly journals The case for urban and reclaimed wood in the circular economy

BioResources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 5226-5245
Author(s):  
Anna R. Pitti ◽  
Omar Espinoza ◽  
Robert Smith
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Production Quality ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
Online Sales ◽  
Emotional Value ◽  
Trade Shows

Circular economy production, or upcycling of traditional waste products, has evolved in alignment with consumer driven accountability and demand for environmentally friendly alternatives. In recent years, industries have emerged to upcycle materials for value-added production. This paper presents case study interview results used to gather information about current marketing practices within the urban and reclaimed wood industries, which upcycles trees felled in urban areas and wood generated through construction and demolition. Firms reported entering the industry for a variety of reasons, most frequently surrounding intangible raw material and product attributes. Interviewees reported generating primarily made-to-order products, made-to-stock furniture, mantels, slabs, lumber, beams, flooring, millwork, and other products priced largely in line with their competition. Promotion consisted primarily of word of mouth, company webpages, social media, and event participation, such as craft fairs or trade shows. Firms relayed messages of sustainability, local production, quality, and emotional value. Companies primarily participate in direct, retail, or online sales, which have become increasingly prevalent. This paper outlines opportunities to explore, as well as barriers to overcome through examination of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats present in the internal and external environments of the urban and reclaimed wood industries.

scholarly journals Underutilised Resources in Urban Environments

Resources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Kusch-Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Sound Management

An important opportunity for more sustainable development pathways in an urbanising world is missed where resources remain underutilised, when they could be valorised in a sound and environmentally favourable mode. This Special Issue of the journal Resources was initiated to identify promising solutions and specific challenges in the context of underutilised resources in urban environments. The compiled contributions address two main areas, namely the establishment of circular economy schemes based on valorising wastes that occur in urban areas and the exploitation of renewable energies. Circular economy and renewable resources hold key potential for making cities more sustainable, and the authors of this Special Issue, with their publications, enhance our understanding of how to unlock this potential. Effective regulatory frameworks and policymaking processes which balance the powers between stakeholders are required to successfully manage energy transition and the transition to more circular economies. The positive role of community engagement merits high attention. To recover valuable resources from household waste, a focus on technology and infrastructure is required but is not enough; motivational factors and knowledge of citizens are most essential elements. It also becomes evident that the need to more reliably quantify and better characterise recyclable material streams, especially where population numbers are further growing, remains. The publications compiled in this Special Issue are a rich source to identify promising solutions, challenges and research needed for the sound management of urban resource demands.

Transition to circular economy in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Xocaira Paes ◽  
Gerson Araujo de Medeiros ◽  
Sandro Donnini Mancini ◽  
Flávio de Miranda Ribeiro ◽  
Jose A. Puppim de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste Management ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how improvements in municipal solid waste management systems (MSWMS) can contribute to a transition toward circular economy (CE) in urban areas, outlining actions and guidelines for public policies. Design/methodology/approach The research was carried out in three municipalities located in the state of São Paulo in terms of: diagnosis; elaboration of more positive scenarios in terms of CE and scaling of economic and environmental benefits; and outline actions and guidelines for public policies of MSWMS. Findings In developing countries like Brazil, MSWMS can contribute to a transition toward a CE through new public policies and management practices, or even through the improvement of those that already exist. Examples of this are the integration of the informal sector of the recycling chain and service sector related to repairs of clothing, shoes, furniture and electronics as well as composting at the food production site. This could be strengthened by legal and financial mechanisms, training and carbon credit projects. Moreover, there is a need for integration of public policies between different levels of governments and sectoral policies. Originality/value This paper developed a methodology to examine the potential for a transition toward a CE through the MSWMS in different scenarios and cities. This methodology allows to advance the implementation of the concept of CE in urban areas of developing countries and generating co-benefits to the local economy and the global environment.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing Core Aspects on Circular Economy in Cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7549
Author(s):  
Elena Simina Lakatos ◽  
Geng Yong ◽  
Andrea Szilagyi ◽  
Dan Sorin Clinci ◽  
Lucian Georgescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Transition Phase ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Framework Model ◽  
Urban Level ◽  
Niche Concept ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The City

Currently, there are many different interpretations in the literature of what a circular economy is and how it functions. As cities are still facing challenges to become fully sustainable, the need for a comprehensive analysis of how the circular economy can be implemented in urban areas is increasing. This article aims at outlining circular cities by their key characteristics and to further explore and provide a framework for fostering circularity at the city level. In order to achieve this goal, we performed a systematic review and analyzed key papers published in the field of circular economy to determine how circular economy practices form circular cities. We discovered that cities play a focal role in facilitating the transition towards circularity through the closing of the loops, recirculation, technical innovation, policy elaboration and citizens’ support. However, city policymakers are still uncertain about how a circular city looks like and what its purpose is, as views are ranging from a strategic ambition to a niche concept of a smart city. Such uncertainty brings challenges, especially in the transition phase that many cities are in at the moment. This further implies that circular economy applied at the urban level still needs effort and innovation to successfully pass the transition phase from the linear economy. Therefore, lastly, we developed a framework model that can be adapted in other cities to facilitate their transition to circular cities.

scholarly journals A paradigm shift in sustainability: from lines to circles

2020 ◽  
pp. 5-16
Author(s):  
Piergiuseppe Morone ◽  
Gülşah Yilan
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
World Population ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Cradle To Cradle ◽  
Scarcity Of Resources ◽  
Shed Light

The concept of sustainability is attracting great attention as societies become increasingly aware of the environmental consequences of their actions. One of the most critical challenges that humankind is facing is the scarcity of resources, which are expected to reach their limits in the foreseeable future. Associated with this, there is increasing waste generated as a consequence of rapid growth in the world population (particularly in urban areas) and a parallel rise in global income. To cope with these problems, a linear strategy has been applied to increase efficiency by reducing the use of materials and energy in order to lessen environmental impacts. However, this cradle to grave approach has proven inadequate, due to a lack of attention to several economic and social aspects. A paradigm shift is thus required to re-think and innovate processes (as early as in the design phase) in such a way that materials and energy are used more effectively within a closed-loop system. This strategy, known as the cradle to cradle approach, relies on the assumption that everything is a resource for something else since no waste is ever generated in nature. In line with the cradle to cradle approach, the bio-inspired circular economy concept aims at eco-effectiveness, rather than eco-efficiency. While the circular economy has neither a confirmed definition nor a standardized methodology, it nonetheless carries significant importance, since it “is restorative and regenerative by design and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, distinguishing between technical and biological cycles,” in accordance with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Despite some controversial opinions that “circles are not spirals, and for growth to occur, spirals with ever-increasing radii are required,” the circular economy concept is taking a central role in the sustainable development debate and, for this reason, deserves attention. The aim of this paper is to shed light on this debate, pointing out the main features of the emerging circular paradigm along with sustainability transition theories and circularity evaluation tools.

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