Circular cities
A new model of urban sustainability
The role of cities
Cities represent a high concentration of resources, capital, data, and talent spread over a relatively limited geographic area and act as true innovation centres. To build a system that can be sustainable in the long run, benefiting the economy, society, and the environment, it is necessary to take full advantage of the many opportunities offered by cities.
What are circular cities
A circular city incorporates the principles of the circular economy in all its functions; it is an urban system that is regenerative and restorative by design. The idea of waste is eliminated, with assets kept at the highest levels of utility at all times and digital technologies as a vital tool in the process.
Promotes the transition from a linear to a circular economy in an integrated way, collaborating with citizens, businesses and research
Promotes business models that separate resource use from economic activity, maintaining value and reducing waste
Improves well-being, reduces emissions, enhances biodiversity, and promotes social justice, in line with the SDGs
Why is Transition important?
A transition to circular cities is essential to address the climate crisis, improve the quality of urban life, and ensure a sustainable future for the next generation. By 2050, 65% of the world’s population will live in urban areas, increasing pressure on resources. Cities account for 85% of GDP and are responsible for more than 70%of global CO2 emissions, 75% of natural resource consumption, and produce 50& of global waste.
How to transition to circular cities:
our approach
Transitioning to circular cities requires solid planning based on the concept of urban metabolism: the analysis of the flows of materials and energy that enter, are transformed or accumulated, and subsequently leave cities. This method makes it possible to identify critical points where to intervene to close cycles and create a more sustainable urban system.
To support this transition, the Circular City Actions Framework, developed by ICLEI, Circle Economy, Metabolic and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation offers practical strategies to help city governments move from a linear to a circular model, maintaining the value of resources as long as possible through reuse, waste reduction and closing cycles.
RETHINK
Laying the foundation for circular activities and enabling the transition to a circular economy
REGENERATE
Adopt infrastructure and production systems that enable natural ecosystems to thrive
REDUCE
Design infrastructure, processes and products to minimize resource use
RECOVER
Extend and intensify the use of existing resources, products, spaces and infrastructure
RECUPERARE
Maximize the recovery of resources at the end of the use cycle and reintroduce them into production processes
Taranto Circolare
Taranto Circolare is a project dedicated to the city’s circular transformation, aiming to generate a positive impact through initiatives, processes and services based on an in-depth analysis of the territory. The territorial survey highlighted strengths and weaknesses related to materials, energy and waste management, providing a basis for directing change toward sustainability.
Through collaboration with local actors, key areas were identified for developing circular economy projects.
Discover the Taranto Circolare project!
Taranto Circolare: analysis and project development
Analysis of the territory
An overview of the province of Taranto was outlined, analyzing its demographic and economic aspects to understand the local context
Material Flow Analysis
The five most relevant macro sectors were identified and, through Material Flow Analysis, the most impactful economic activities and current material management were analyzed
Circularity Index
Through flow analysis, indicators assessing circularity, material use, energy, waste, and emissions were calculated to quantify the province’s performance
Project proposals
Strengths and weaknesses were mapped, inspiring project proposals to promote circularity, enhancing resources and exploring new economic opportunities
The report
The research and design work done by the Tondo team has been encapsulated within a report that can be accessed free of charge online.