The COST action CA17133 "Circular city"

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasa Atanasova ◽  
Guenter Langergraber
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Cost Action ◽  
Network Testing ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
First Results ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
The Cost

<p>Resource depletion, climate change and degradation of ecosystems are challenges faced by cities worldwide and will increase if cities do not adapt. In order to tackle those challenges, it is necessary to transform our cities into sustainable systems using a holistic approach. One element in achieving this transition is the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS). They can provide a range of ecosystem services beneficial for the urban biosphere such as regulation of micro-climates, flood prevention, water treatment, food provision and more. However, most NBS are implemented serving only one single purpose. Adopting the concept of circular economy by combining different types of services and returning resources to the city, would increase the benefits gained for urban areas.</p><p>The COST Action CA17133 "Implementing nature-based solutions for creating a resourceful circular city" aims to establish a network testing the hypothesis that a circular flow system that implements NBS for managing nutrients and resources within the urban biosphere will lead to a resilient, sustainable and healthy urban environment.</p><p>To tackle this challenge the Action comprises five working groups (WGs):</p><ul><li>WG1: Built environment</li> <li>WG2: Sustainable urban water utilisation</li> <li>WG3: Resource recovery</li> <li>WG4: Urban Farming</li> <li>WG5: Transformation tools</li> </ul><p>The network of researches, companies and stakeholders from more than 40 countries spread over whole Europe brings together a large diversity of disciplines and is therefore well equipped taking holistic approach on embedding NBS within circular economy. In the presentation we will present the first results already achieved and the future plans of the Action.</p>

scholarly journals Implementing nature-based solutions for creating a resourceful circular city

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guenter Langergraber ◽  
Bernhard Pucher ◽  
Lena Simperler ◽  
Johannes Kisser ◽  
Evina Katsou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Flood Prevention ◽  
Cost Action ◽  
Network Testing ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The City

Abstract Resource depletion, climate change and degradation of ecosystems are challenges faced by cities worldwide and will increase if cities do not adapt. In order to tackle those challenges, it is necessary to transform our cities into sustainable systems using a holistic approach. One element in achieving this transition is the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS). NBS can provide a range of ecosystem services beneficial for the urban biosphere such as regulation of micro-climates, flood prevention, water treatment, food provision and more. However, most NBS are implemented serving only one single purpose. Adopting the concept of circular economy by combining different types of services and returning resources to the city, would increase the benefits gained for urban areas. The COST Action Circular City aims to establish a network testing the hypothesis that: ‘A circular flow system that implements NBS for managing nutrients and resources within the urban biosphere will lead to a resilient, sustainable and healthy urban environment’. In this paper we introduce the COST Action Circular City by describing its main objectives and aims. The paper also serves as introduction to the review papers of the Action's five Working Groups in this Special Issue.

scholarly journals Nature-Based Solutions and Circularity in Cities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataša Atanasova ◽  
Joana A.C. Castellar ◽  
Rocío Pineda-Martos ◽  
Chrysanthy Elisabeth Nika ◽  
Evina Katsou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
Urban Transition ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The City

AbstractCities worldwide are facing a number of serious challenges including population growth, resource depletion, climate change, and degradation of ecosystems. To cope with these challenges, the transformation of our cities into sustainable systems using a holistic approach is required. The pathway to this urban transition is adopting the concept of circular economy for resource management. In this way, resources are kept and reused within the city. Nature-based solutions can be implemented for these tasks, and besides the circularity, they can provide additional benefits for the urbanites and the urban environment in general. This paper describes which urban challenges related to circularity can be addressed through nature-based solutions. This systematic review was developed within the COST Action CA17133 Circular City that investigates how nature-based solutions can be used to progress the circular economy in the urban built environment.

Quality control plan for road bridges – overview of COST Action TU1406 WG3 final report

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matej Kušar ◽  
Poul Linneberg ◽  
Joao Amado ◽  
Snežana Mašović ◽  
Nikola Tanasić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Control Plan ◽  
Cost Action ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Arch Bridges ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Damage Processes

<p>The main objective of the COST Action TU1406 is to develop a guideline for the establishment of Quality Control plans for roadway bridges. The guideline is based on conclusions of Working groups 1 and 2 of the Action and is further developed with the contributions and findings of members of Working group 3. The paper presents the overview of the developed framework, where gradual damage processes as well as sudden events are being addressed in evaluation of Key Performance Indicators. The proposed framework relies on data from design and construction phase, as well as from results from visual inspections that are used for an assessment of safety and serviceability - the primary concerns of bridge managers. Special attention is aimed at possible Failure modes and related bridge Vulnerable zones. These are, for instance high moment regions, high shear regions and constructions joints, but can also be zones of bridge conceptual weaknesses. Since there are differences in design and materials for various bridge types, the suitability of the framework is tested separately for girder/frame bridges and arch bridges. Due to the specifics of sudden events, the application of the framework is given separately from gradual damage processes. Emphasis is given on flooding and scour as these are the most common culprits of bridge failures. The steps in the implementation of the framework are briefly shown and an illustrative example is presented.</p>

Nanosafety forum for young scientists: a meeting report

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Pietroiusti ◽  
Lang Tran ◽  
Luisa Campagnolo
Keyword(s):  
Meeting Report ◽  
Cost Action ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Young Researchers ◽  
The Eu

AbstractIn October of 2014, a meeting jointly organized by the EU Nanosafety Cluster and the COST Action TD 1204, was held on the beautiful island of Ortygia in Syracuse (Sicily). The meeting was specifically conceived to give the opportunity to young researchers in the field of nanotoxicology to present and discuss the results of their research. Presentations were divided into eight sessions over 2 days, reflecting the eight working groups of the Nanosafety Cluster. This report gives a description of the meeting activities and a summary of the data presented there.

scholarly journals Management of Urban Waters with Nature-Based Solutions in Circular Cities—Exemplified through Seven Urban Circularity Challenges

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 3334
Author(s):  
Hasan Volkan Oral ◽  
Matej Radinja ◽  
Anacleto Rizzo ◽  
Katharina Kearney ◽  
Theis Raaschou Andersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Material Recovery ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Recovery And Reuse

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have been proven to effectively mitigate and solve resource depletion and climate-related challenges in urban areas. The COST (Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action CA17133 entitled “Implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) for building a resourceful circular city” has established seven urban circularity challenges (UCC) that can be addressed effectively with NBS. This paper presents the outcomes of five elucidation workshops with more than 20 European experts from different backgrounds. These international workshops were used to examine the effectiveness of NBS to address UCC and foster NBS implementation towards circular urban water management. A major outcome was the identification of the two most relevant challenges for water resources in urban areas: ‘Restoring and maintaining the water cycle’ (UCC1) and ‘Water and waste treatment, recovery, and reuse’ (UCC2). s Moreover, significant synergies with ‘Nutrient recovery and reuse’, ‘Material recovery and reuse’, ‘Food and biomass production’, ‘Energy efficiency and recovery’, and ‘Building system recovery’ were identified. Additionally, the paper presents real-life case studies to demonstrate how different NBS and supporting units can contribute to the UCC. Finally, a case-based semi-quantitative assessment of the presented NBS was performed. Most notably, this paper identifies the most typically employed NBS that enable processes for UCC1 and UCC2. While current consensus is well established by experts in individual NBS, we presently highlight the potential to address UCC by combining different NBS and synergize enabling processes. This study presents a new paradigm and aims to enhance awareness on the ability of NBS to solve multiple urban circularity issues.

Effects and Risks of Distance Learning in Higher Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 61-73
Author(s):  
Yu. M. Tsygalov
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
First Results ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
The Cost

The forced work of Russian universities remotely in the context of the pandemic (COVID-19) has generated a lot of discussion about the benefits of the new form of education. The first results were summed up and reports were presented, the materials of which showed that the main goal of online education — the prevention of the spread of infection, - has been achieved. Against this background, proposals and publications have appeared substantiating the effectiveness of the massive introduction of distance learning in Russia, including in higher education. However, the assessment of such training by the population and students in publications and in social networks was predominantly negative and showed that the number of emerging problems exceeds the possible benefits of the new educational technology. Based on the analysis of the materials of publications and personal experience of teaching online, the potential benefits and problems of distance learning in higher education in Russia are considered. It is proposed to consider the effects separately for the suppliers of new technology (government, universities) and consumers (students, teachers, society). It is substantiated that the massive introduction of online education allows not only to reduce the negative consequences of epidemics, but also to reduce budgetary funding for universities, optimize the age composition of teachers, and reduce the cost of maintaining educational buildings. However, there will be a leveling / averaging of the quality of education, and responsibility for the quality of training will shift from the state/universities to students. The critical shortcomings of online education are the low degree of readiness of the digital infrastructure, the lack of a mechanism for identifying and monitoring the work of students, information security problems, and the lack of trust in such training of the population. The massive use of online education creates a number of risks for the country, the most critical of which is the destruction of the higher education system and a drop in the effectiveness of personnel training. The consequences of this risk realization are not compensated by any possible budget savings.

scholarly journals Cost of Management of Diabetes Mellitus: A Pan India Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 097275312199849
Author(s):  
Raghuram Nagarathna ◽  
M Madhava ◽  
Suchitra S Patil ◽  
Amit Singh ◽  
K. Perumal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Cost Of Treatment ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Cost Of Disease ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Prevalence Of Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major noncommunicable disease. While mortality rates are increasing, the costs of managing the disease are also increasing. The all-India average monthly expenditure per person (pppm) is reported to be ₹ 1,098.25, which translates to an annual expenditure of ₹13,179 per person. Purpose: While a number of studies have gone into the aspect of the cost of disease management, we do not find any study which has pan-India reach. We also do not find studies that focus on differences (if any) between rural and urban areas, age or on the basis of gender. We planned to report the cost of illness (COI) in diabetes individuals as compared to others from the data of a pan-India trial. Methods: Government of India commissioned the Indian Yoga Association to study the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in India in 2017. As part of the questionnaire, the cost of treatment was also captured. Data collected from 25 states and union territories were analyzed using the analysis of covriance (ANCOVA) test on SPSS version 21. Results: There was a significant difference ( P < .05) between the average expenses per person per month (pppm) of individuals with self-reported known diabetes (₹1,357.65 pppm) and others (unknown and/or nondiabetes individuals–₹ 999.91 pppm). Similarly, there was a significant difference between rural (₹2,893 pppm) and urban (₹4,162 pppm) participants and between those below (₹1,996 pppm) and above 40 years (₹5,059 pppm) of age. Conclusion: This preliminary report has shown that the COI because of diabetes is significantly higher than others pointing to an urgent need to promote disease-preventive measures.

scholarly journals Cost of groundwater protection: major groundwater basin protection zones in Poland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Krogulec ◽  
Jacek Gurwin ◽  
Mirosław Wąsik
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Groundwater Protection ◽  
Social Economy ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
Protection Zones ◽  
Groundwater Basins ◽  
The Cost

AbstractThis paper describes the complex hydrogeological, legal framework and socioeconomic costs of the groundwater protection in major groundwater basins (MGBs) in Poland in accordance with European directives. The hydrogeological criteria developed in Poland for establishing MGBs and the principles of their protection provide more details to the directives that are in force in Europe, which define the general principles for groundwater protection. The procedure of establishing MGB protection zones is connected with a change in local plans and land development and requires an analysis of the cost–benefit relationship in the sphere of social economy in the sector of public economics. The cost assessment was performed on the basis of data from hydrogeological documentations, and the aggregation of subareas to which the same existing and planned development can be attributed. A legal analysis of bans, orders and restrictions together with the identification of the risk of claims in specific hydrogeological and development conditions was a fundamental issue of research. These costs depend on the acreage and land use of the protected area. The unit costs of MGB protection, calculated per 1 km2 of the protection area, for six sample basins were estimated at €120 to €208,000/2 years/1 km2. The highest costs are generated by establishing protection in urban areas, while the lowest costs are generated in forest areas.

scholarly journals A Review of Reductionist versus Systems Perspectives towards ‘Doing the Right Strategies Right’ for Circular Economy Implementation

Systems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Raquel Balanay ◽  
Anthony Halog
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Review Reports ◽  
The Right ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Analytical Frameworks ◽  
Reductionist Approach

This systematic review examines the importance of a systems/holistic approach in analyzing and addressing the footprints/impacts of business-as-usual activities regarding the development of a circular economy (CE). Recent works on why current CE approaches have to be examined in terms of reductionist vs. systems perspectives are reviewed to tackle questions pertaining to the right or the wrong way of CE implementation. ‘Doing the right thing right’ is essential for sustainability—the ultimate goal of a CE, which must be viewed as a system to begin with. The limited reductionist approach overlooks and thus cannot prognosticate on the formidable unintended consequences that emerge from ‘doing the right things wrong’, consequences that become too costly to undo. The systems approach, being holistic, is complicated and difficult to pursue but open to exciting opportunities to integrate innovations in CE analysis and implementation. Complexity is an inherent downside of the systems approach. However, both approaches are complementary, as reductionist models can be combined to create a system of comprehensive analysis to correct the approach towards implementation of current CE initiatives. This review reports that advancements in systems analytical frameworks and tools are highly important for creating general guidelines on CE analysis and implementation.

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