Second City2City: Scaling up urban circular economies, an article by Miguel Rivas

Piloting is usually affordable, but how to scale up?

A recent OECD study on circular economy reports that 10% of surveyed cities and regions defined themselves as “advanced” performers in this field, while 39% as “in progress”, 57% as “newcomers” and 4% described their transition towards the circular economy as “not in place”. Nonetheless, 84% informed they were using pilots and experimentation to foster the circular economy (OECD, 2020).

Piloting and experimenting is usually affordable, but upscaling needs substantial funding and strong political commitment. Hence, upscaling is increasingly seen as a key component of the implementation framework and should therefore be considered in the action planning process, from the beginning. In a study on smart city projects, Willem van Winden and Daniel van den Buuse (2017), from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, found out that even the pilot stage should be carefully designed with an eye on later upscaling – e.g. getting 360⁰ stakeholder involvement in the pilot experiences sets the basis to successful scale up.

So, what type of enablers or accelerating pipelines to move circular economy from activism and piloting to mainstreaming? In this regard, working at two levels would be advisable. First, at programme level, promoting initiatives with an expanding effect. Second, and maybe most importantly, at the policy level, trying to place circular economy properly into a number of robust and well-funded agendas with a transformation purpose. In particular, the smart specialisation strategies, as the place-based innovation policies par excellence in the European Union, and the upcoming recovery and resilience plans that member states will promote to face the pandemic´s impact, financed by the ad-hoc NextGenerationEU facility.

A very collaborative 2nd Transnational meeting!

Our second transnational meeting was hosted by the city of Vila Nova de Famalicao and took place online on 25^th & 26^th November. The meeting focussed on the topic of collaboration and looked at ways in which cities could stimulate collaboration with a view to accelerating the circular economy.

Scoping a circular ecosystem, lessons by the city of The Hague!

On Thursday the 10th of September the Resourceful Cities network had its first City2City session in which the City of The Hague presented how they are scoping a circular ecosystem.

An action packed kick off to Phase 2!

This Kick off was a bit different than we are used to! Everything online, however what a way to kick off Phase! Read more about the key messages and learnings during our 1st Transnational meeting, Phase 2.

Baseline study Resourceful Cities

The Baseline study has the goal to provide partners with a shared understanding of the existing knowledge base with, regard to progressing the transition to a circular economy in cities. It gives a good insight into project and introduces the network partners, urban resource centers, the workings of the project and the goals to be achieved.

Modena Gaining Momentum in its Fight Against Climate Change

The “Covenant of Mayor for Climate & Energy” was launched by the European Commission in 2008 and is the worlds largest movement for local and climate and energy actions. Completely in line with UN sustainable development goals and with the justice principles on climate, the Covenant deals with three issues: mitigation of climate change; adaptation to negative effects of climate change; global access to a safety, clean and affordable energy.