What can cities do to become circular?

Cities can use a range of instruments to enable their local circular economy. CityLoops has produced a number of resources that can support cities in their circular transition. In cooperation with project partner Metabolism of Cities (MoC), the cities have carried out a Sector Circularity Asssessment (aimed to provide information on how circular the biomass and construction sector are) and an Urban Circularity Assessment (aimed at better understanding the material and energy flows passing through cities). In addition MoC helped cities develop a data dashboard and a circularity dashboard. All these resources can be found on the city pages.

Roadmaps and Strategies

Cities can steer the transition to a circular economy by developing a circular economy roadmap

Fostering partnerships

Cities can promote collaboration among key partners and bring together stakeholders to organise the circular transition together

Provide information and build capacity

Local Governements can catalyse the circular economy by improving access to information, raising awareness and enabling actors to become more circular

Urban planning

By defining how a city is shaped and used, planners can opt to combine different functions of space and enable closed loop economic activity

Public Procurement

Procurement is a lever for circular business models and reduces the environmental impact of cities along the supply chain

Economic measures

Financial support, incentives and fiscal measures to support circular business models and decrease risk can lead to increased circular economic activity

For more information, the Ellen MacArthur foundation has identified policy levers that cities can use to promote the transition to a circular economy. More details about the policy levers can be found on the Ellen MacArthur website.