The Circular City Actions Framework provides urban changemakers with five complementary strategies they can use to start working towards a more circular system. 

The framework is action-based to provide users with concrete strategic directions and showcase the desired outcomes of each strategy. 
The framework consists of five complementary **strategies**, under which **sub-strategies** provide further detail. Finally, each sub-strategy consists of a diversity of tangible **solutions** which are framed in relation to key thematic areas. 

Note: solutions are currently focused on:
- 🍏 **Food systems**
- 🏢  **Built environment**
- 👕📱  **Consumer goods**
- ⚡ **Energy Systems**
- 🚌 **Mobility Systems**
- 💧 **Water Systems**

More thematic areas are coming soon...

'Click through each of the five strategy cards below to explore the framework and circular economy case studies in more depth!'



This framework was developed in collaboration with ICLEI, Metabolic and Ellen MacArthur Foundation with support from the MAVA Foundation. Read more about it [here]( https://circulars.iclei.org/action-framework/). 



As a result of its cheapness, durability, and range of uses, plastics have become ubiquitous with contemporary life. However, these same characteristics are contributing to a global challenge of plastic pollution, in large part driven by an influx of single-use plastic products, most notably used for packaging and bags. Much of this plastic packaging and bags, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, are not disposed of correctly and pollute and degrade ecosystems.  

Where packaging is absolutely necessary, alternatives can be made from bio-based materials that are sourced from renewable sources that can readily decompose. There are a range of types of biobased materials, from mycelium, starch, and even discarded fruit, which can be used as alternatives to conventional fossil-fuel derived plastics.

Local governments can support use of such packaging and goods made from alternative bio-based materials by banning or creating a bio-based plastic content mandate on single-use plastic packaging. Governments can simultaneously support the uptake of alternatives through incentive schemes such as subsidising their production as well as encouraging further research, innovation and development through incubator schemes or eco-design competitions. A good first step in creating the demand for such products is by integrating such criteria within the local public procurement strategy to supply, for example, municipal canteens.

It is important to note that, if local governments plan to support the uptake of this packaging type, they must also educate residents about the correct way to dispose of biobased plastics based on their waste management plan. Bioplastics often cannot be disposed of with normal plastics as they would contaminate their recycling. Moreover, if they plan to incentivise this type of packaging they should adapt the waste management practices accordingly (such as having an aerobic digester where compostable plastics can be disposed of with organic waste).

large_john-cameron-KENd4EBdqow-unsplash.jpg

medium_john-cameron-KENd4EBdqow-unsplash.jpg

small_john-cameron-KENd4EBdqow-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_john-cameron-KENd4EBdqow-unsplash.jpg

john-cameron-KENd4EBdqow-unsplash.jpg

👕📱  Packaging and goods made from bio-based materials

With the continued growth of urban populations, cities are commonly facing a key challenge: how can we feed our residents with sufficient healthy and sustainable food? 

More resource-efficient methods and technologies for urban agriculture present opportunities to cultivate the urban landscape, for example through hydroponics and aquaponics systems. Resource-efficient systems can require less space, be more water efficient, and minimise inputs of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, and could be key to secure a sustainable and healthy future for cities.

Resource-efficiency in urban farming methods could mean prioritising renewable energies, for example, solar/wind energy, biogas, making efficient use of different resources, for example, reuse or recycle of heat, water, nutrients and/or spaces, applying cutting-edge emission reduction technologies, and reusing waste or by-products from urban sources, for example,  industries and households. 

Local governments can leverage land use and spatial planning tools to create and maintain a resource-efficient infrastructure including concepts like aquaponics, indoor agriculture, vertical farming, rooftop production, and edible walls. As well as support innovation in new urban agriculture technologies through in-kind and financial support for start-ups. 


large_markus-spiske-AV1_nzV3tc0-unsplash.jpeg

medium_markus-spiske-AV1_nzV3tc0-unsplash.jpeg

small_markus-spiske-AV1_nzV3tc0-unsplash.jpeg

thumbnail_markus-spiske-AV1_nzV3tc0-unsplash.jpeg

markus-spiske-AV1_nzV3tc0-unsplash.jpeg

🍏  Resource-efficient food production

Buildings and infrastructures often include many types of components and materials used in ways that make disassembly or repurposing difficult. Some of the barriers can be solved by integrating circular concepts over the entire lifecycle of buildings and infrastructures. Flexible and modular design facilitates repurposing in response to changing needs over the life of a building and supports lifetime extension, as modular constructions are often easier to renovate. Design for disassembly (DfD) enables deconstruction instead of demolition at the end of life and recovery of high value components and materials such as doors, flooring, windows and other elements before demolition. Selective demolition, finally, allows to retain the structural integrity of a building while refurbishing it for new uses. These practices not only increase the material reused and value recovered at the end-of-life of buildings, but are often labour-intensive, creating more jobs than conventional demolition. As such, they can spur local innovation and industry, preserve local character and heritage of buildings, while reducing landfill costs and limiting the need for virgin and often carbon-intensive materials.

City governments can promote the adoption of these practices by providing locally appropriate guidance on flexible and modular design, design for disassembly and selective demolition, and including these principles in their procurement guidelines. They can also enable such practices through end-of-life standards and regulation. Additionally, they can undertake a cost-benefit analysis of deconstruction, building material reuse and DfD in the city compared to demolition and new build. This type of analysis can encourage circular approaches and help cities set targets for construction and demolition, waste minimisation and material reuse in their plans, as well as standardise design for modularity and disassembly. Finally, cities can create enabling conditions for the upscaling of such solutions by supporting digital tools such as material passports and Building Information Modelling (BIM). 
For these strategies to be successful, the city can take an active role in awareness building and demonstrating circular approaches in city owned buildings. It is also important to involve relevant stakeholders in the planning and implementation of building deconstruction and disassembly. Cities need to involve and support collaboration among representatives of their planning and construction departments, and representatives of property developers, construction companies, neighbourhood groups, deconstruction companies, and recycling and waste management companies.


large_gene-gallin-E6KM98Q_d4o-unsplash.jpg

medium_gene-gallin-E6KM98Q_d4o-unsplash.jpg

small_gene-gallin-E6KM98Q_d4o-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_gene-gallin-E6KM98Q_d4o-unsplash.jpg

gene-gallin-E6KM98Q_d4o-unsplash.jpg

🏢  Disassembly, selective deconstruction and demolition of buildings and infrastructure

The industrial production and consumption of meats and animal-based products places increasing pressures on land- and water-use, and is a driving cause of global greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments can play an important role in encouraging residents to shift towards local and plant-based diets that can improve the health of the planet, as well as residents and local economies if the food is sourced regionally.

For example, local governments can help to raise the awareness of the positive ecological and health impacts of a locally sourced and plant-based diet through information campaigns in the city. Local governments can improve access to locally produced plant-based foods throughout the city by allocating space for, and supporting local markets and suppliers. To lead by example, canteens managed by the public sector, for example, in schools and municipal offices, can develop menus that offer plant-based and seasonal choices. 


large_natalie-walters-l2AnTPLBzBk-unsplash.jpeg

medium_natalie-walters-l2AnTPLBzBk-unsplash.jpeg

small_natalie-walters-l2AnTPLBzBk-unsplash.jpeg

thumbnail_natalie-walters-l2AnTPLBzBk-unsplash.jpeg

natalie-walters-l2AnTPLBzBk-unsplash.jpeg

🍏  Seasonal plant based diets

Maintain and repair city-owned spaces and infrastructure to increase longevity, and support opportunities for residents to do the same for privately owned items and property

Support reuse, repair, remanufacturing, maintenance of existing resources, products, spaces & infrastructure

Businesses support the innovation and implementation of circular strategies. Yet innovations and startups that close loops and facilitate reuse often face additional challenges, due to the lack of infrastructure that supports circular initiatives for example physical and digital infrastructure to support reverse logistics.

Sustainable business ecosystems connect circular businesses around common problems and provide coordinated support, education and financing opportunities for these businesses to operate and scale together. This solution stimulates the local economy, which can promote local circular job opportunities in the future, and provides an attractive and supportive environment for more circular businesses to start up and scale the city.

The local government may partner with innovation ecosystems and circular domain experts to create training modules and facilitation programmes for small businesses, making knowledge resources available to small businesses looking to go circular. Local governments may also provide financial support - either directly or in partnership with financial institutions - to target and stimulate ecosystems around specific circular business models. 


large_the-grand-cheese-master-TJDBqlvTdGI-unsplash.jpg

medium_the-grand-cheese-master-TJDBqlvTdGI-unsplash.jpg

small_the-grand-cheese-master-TJDBqlvTdGI-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_the-grand-cheese-master-TJDBqlvTdGI-unsplash.jpg

the-grand-cheese-master-TJDBqlvTdGI-unsplash.jpg

🍏  Sustainable food and agriculture business ecosystems

Buildings house all production activities, and also are where people spend the majority of their time. Consequently ‘buildings’ consume  resources, namely energy and water, and produce large amounts of waste. 

The use phase of buildings represents the largest resource flows during their lifecycle. Optimised operations for different types of buildings—such as offices, industrial and commercial facilities or houses—can reduce energy, water and waste consumption, as well as operating costs, and enhance the wellbeing of users. 

Local governments can support Information and communication technology (ICT) innovation for the circular management of building operations for instance, by adopting new technologies, digital services and systems that can help with the monitoring and evaluation of (water and energy) efficiency. At the local level, policy can also set new building standards that can scale up net-zero waste, energy and water buildings. Then, the uptake of  ‘green contracts’—agreements that require the contractor to develop and implement a site management plan and favour certain types of resources—can also stimulate circular operations by legally ingraining circularity in the relationship between building owners, operators and users.


large_james-frewin-EfKJol09bMw-unsplash.jpg

medium_james-frewin-EfKJol09bMw-unsplash.jpg

small_james-frewin-EfKJol09bMw-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_james-frewin-EfKJol09bMw-unsplash.jpg

james-frewin-EfKJol09bMw-unsplash.jpg

🏢⚡  Optimised facility management

With the economic drive to sell more products, items that are cheaper to produce and sell are often prioritised over higher quality items that last a long time. These patterns of unsustainable consumption lead to many consumer goods being thrown away after only a short time, while still being perfectly usable. 

Second-hand markets can present a tangible solution to support the reuse of consumer goods. Second-hand markets can provide a physical location to collect and offer consumer goods that are repaired, repurposed, reused. Consumer goods can range from furniture, to electronics, to clothing, and other consumer goods. Second-hand markets can even go as far as becoming a fully circular shopping centre, offering access to all different types of consumer goods. What is more, second-hand markets and supporting repair activities can be connected throughout a city to form a network to enable access to such goods and services throughout the entirety of a city. 

Local governments can support the development of circular centres by providing both financial and in-kind support, and zoning particular areas for experimentation, repair and resale. They can also play a key role in connecting existing activities throughout the city, for example using digital platforms. Furthermore, local governments can play a key role in promoting reuse and repair activities throughout the city—reducing marketing costs for the businesses themselves and raising awareness for residents. Local governments may also stimulate skills development and make training available to repair and reuse organisations.


large__mg_2714.jpg

medium__mg_2714.jpg

small__mg_2714.jpg

thumbnail__mg_2714.jpg

_mg_2714.jpg

👕📱 Circular centres, shops and malls for repair, restoration and resale of consumer goods

Incorporate extended use in project planning phases; create or update city policies to allow for extended use.

Design and regulate for extended use

As much as 90% of world energy use comes from fossil sources. Meanwhile in 2017, only 0.7% of global energy use derived from solar power and 1.9% from wind ([Statistical Review of World Energy, 2021](https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html)). Some of the highly contested issues stopping the energy transition from materialising are land requirements and high upfront investment costs. Decentralising renewable energy production through cooperatives could be a solution to both. Local renewable energy cooperatives allow the financial burden of purchasing renewable energy equipment to be spread amongst a voluntary group of people, all while relying less on new land.

Cooperatives, then, allow residents without renewable energy potential, perhaps due to lack of space or property rental restrictions, to gain the potential through others. A cooperative project, for instance, may involve a street of houses in which the participants collectively decide to install solar PV panels on the roofs of suitable participating homes, whilst all participants' equally benefit from the renewable electricity production. This enables more people to consume renewable electricity and save on costs. Furthermore, all participants have a democratic say within the decision-making of the project, unlike a traditional electricity utility contract. This type of model can also be applied for microgrids, local biogas installations, gasifiers and other projects.

Local governments can support and facilitate such initiatives. They can set up a so-called “support coalition” that can support experiments, aid cooperative agreements, mobilise resources and provide regulatory support, such as subsidising part of the energy system. Municipalities can also become cooperative members themselves, directly consuming or selling the energy produced and gaining an additional instrument to implement municipal energy policy. 

large_Cooperativa-vai-gerar-energia-solar-para-35-familias-da-Babilonia-e-Chapeu-Mangueira.-Foto-Jaqueline-Suarez.jpeg

medium_Cooperativa-vai-gerar-energia-solar-para-35-familias-da-Babilonia-e-Chapeu-Mangueira.-Foto-Jaqueline-Suarez.jpeg

small_Cooperativa-vai-gerar-energia-solar-para-35-familias-da-Babilonia-e-Chapeu-Mangueira.-Foto-Jaqueline-Suarez.jpeg

thumbnail_Cooperativa-vai-gerar-energia-solar-para-35-familias-da-Babilonia-e-Chapeu-Mangueira.-Foto-Jaqueline-Suarez.jpeg

Cooperativa-vai-gerar-energia-solar-para-35-familias-da-Babilonia-e-Chapeu-Mangueira.-Foto-Jaqueline-Suarez.jpeg

⚡  Support local renewable energy cooperatives

Prioritize solutions that use the power of functioning ecosystems as infrastructure to provide natural services to benefit society and the environment; consider nature-based replacements for grey infrastructure.

Promote solutions inspired and supported by nature

On average, mobility is responsible for around half of the energy that is consumed in cities (excluding industry), and with it, a large share of the greenhouse gas emissions that are generated in cities. At the same time, many mobility assets, such as private cars can remain parked for up to 92% of the day ([Ellen MacArthur Foundation](https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy-opportunity-and-benefit-factsheets)). 

A combination of shared mobility options (such as public transport, bike and car sharing) and low-carbon mobility systems (such as walking and cycling) can significantly reduce the energy demand and associated emissions of moving people and goods in cities. If implemented effectively, these solutions can reduce the overall demand for vehicles by alleviating the need for personal car ownership, and consequently also reducing the extraction of virgin materials required for the production and fuelling of private vehicles.

Local governments can make low-carbon and shared mobility options a viable and preferred alternative to private vehicle use. They can improve the availability and accessibility of electric charging infrastructure for private electric vehicles. Moreover, cities can play a role in the connection and integration of different forms of shared mobility (such as bike sharing, public transport, and car sharing) through a city-wide or national online platform. Then, to discourage private car use, parking bays can be replaced with pocket parks, parking costs can be increased (in certain parts of the city), cycling lanes can be expanded, and car free zones or congestion charges introduced.


large_pop-zebra-kJZSIXoXrUE-unsplash.jpg

medium_pop-zebra-kJZSIXoXrUE-unsplash.jpg

small_pop-zebra-kJZSIXoXrUE-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_pop-zebra-kJZSIXoXrUE-unsplash.jpg

pop-zebra-kJZSIXoXrUE-unsplash.jpg

🚌  Low-carbon and shared mobility systems

Use longer and more often by extending and intensifying use of existing resources, products, spaces and infrastructure

large_5R_Reuse.png

medium_5R_Reuse.png

small_5R_Reuse.png

thumbnail_5R_Reuse.png

5R_Reuse.png

Reuse

In cities, logistics is a key part of the mobility system, with freight transport making up on average 25% of traffic in cities, while taking up 40% of the road space, and generating 40% of transport-related emissions ([ICLEI](https://sustainablemobility.iclei.org/framing-sustainable-urban-logistics-in-cities/)). Often, urban logistics and freight vehicles commonly carry loads that are below full capacity, since much of urban logistics is centred around the last- or first- mile which has a strong preference for speed and convenience. This therefore means that more vehicles are on the streets, contributing to increased emissions, congestion and air pollution in urban areas. 

Optimisation of urban logistics systems can reduce the total quantities of vehicles on the roads and associated emissions and congestion. In addition to this, cities that are intrinsically linked to a port can optimise the incoming freight, the logistics of unloading, before such loads enter the urban mobility system. One such example is shared logistics systems that pool resources intelligently via digital systems that can match available load capacity with demand to minimise the total quantity of kilometres travelled and the number of vehicles required. Furthermore, decentralised distribution centres throughout cities can act as hubs for low-carbon and non-motorised logistics vehicles and achieve similar benefits in reducing the number of vehicles driving in cities, which can be particularly effective for last- and first-mile logistics.

Local governments can support such optimisation systems by providing financial and in kind aid to innovations and initiatives that are focused on improving the technologies and processes that underpin and enable urban logistics. To this end, cities can share real-time transport related data to optimise logistics routes and support such innovations. Finally, cities can also leverage regulations to establish a minimum load capacity for logistics vehicles entering (certain parts of) the city. 


large_bernd-dittrich-P_-S57fiFwE-unsplash.jpg

medium_bernd-dittrich-P_-S57fiFwE-unsplash.jpg

small_bernd-dittrich-P_-S57fiFwE-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_bernd-dittrich-P_-S57fiFwE-unsplash.jpg

bernd-dittrich-P_-S57fiFwE-unsplash.jpg

🚌  Optimised & low-carbon freight and logistics systems

The demolition of old buildings and construction of new buildings require vast quantities of heavy materials, and significant amounts of energy and water. Where possible, it is preferable to renovate and refurbish an existing building in a circular manner rather than demolishing it to build a new one. Additionally, underutilised and vacant buildings and spaces represent an enormous untapped value, which could be leveraged to finance investments in other areas and revitalise neighbourhoods. This could include ‘meanwhile use’ or ‘intermittent use’ of buildings, which involves making temporarily empty spaces, properties and land available for use as work spaces, pop-up cafes, shops, and more. Such projects help to rethink the design of the surrounding urban space, creating attractive, safe and user-friendly areas, thus revitalising neighbourhood economies and encouraging local retail networks. 

Local governments—along with multidisciplinary teams of finance, human resources, technology, and corporate real estate stakeholders—can identify idle or underutilised spaces and determine their value, and then consider this in relation to current and future requirements of their citizens (for example, shortage of affordable housing or cultural spaces). Measures to address the underuse of buildings and spaces could include flexible zoning plans, economic disincentives for new greenfield developments in favour of refurbishing and manufacturing, as well as piloting projects with public vacant buildings.

large_peter-herrmann--d7oSiuYHCs-unsplash.jpg

medium_peter-herrmann--d7oSiuYHCs-unsplash.jpg

small_peter-herrmann--d7oSiuYHCs-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_peter-herrmann--d7oSiuYHCs-unsplash.jpg

peter-herrmann--d7oSiuYHCs-unsplash.jpg

🏢  Make the best use of existing buildings and infrastructure

Cities worldwide are facing significant water-related challenges, including urban water runoffs, flooding, reduced water quality and severe water scarcity—exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and more frequent extreme weather events. On top of this, urban water runoff continues to be a major cause of water pollution in urban areas, carrying trash, bacteria, and other pollutants through gutters and stormwater systems into local waterways, typically without treatment.

City governments can pursue a “sponge city” approach by redesigning the urban fabric and integrating blue and green infrastructure (BGI) (e.g. rain gardens, permeable pavements, storage ponds, etc.) along traditional grey infrastructure (e.g. pipe networks, storage tanks, flood walls). This can help to absorb, store, filter and purify these water flows, in turn replenishing aquifers, reducing the need for expanding grey water management and minimising flood risk, while also reducing the heat island effect. 

Cities can do so by, for example, integrating requirements for BGI into municipal urban planning rules for newly built up areas of city districts, industrial parks and development zones, and integrating sponge city building requirements into municipal urban planning rules. Then, local governments could also strengthen collaboration between all relevant stakeholders—from real estate developers to engineers, to water-utility organisations—to identify locally relevant opportunities for sponge cities. 


small_imageedit_3_2731029246-750x350.jpg

thumbnail_imageedit_3_2731029246-750x350.jpg

imageedit_3_2731029246-750x350.jpg

💧  Blue and green infrastructure for sustainable urban drainage

Much of the wastewater generated by homes, industries, and businesses must be treated before it is released back into the environment. This is because it contains nutrients and other substances that can be harmful to the environment and human health, as well as to aquatic fauna and flora. These nutrients can cause oxygen depletion in water bodies, beach closures and contamination of drinking water. However, if the nutrients are recovered, they can often be put to beneficial use. 

For instance, biorefineries use wastewater as a source of raw materials, generating products of value from waste nutrients and simultaneously producing clean water for reuse or discharge. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can be converted into environmentally friendly fertilisers, and used for ecological restoration and agricultural purposes. Biosolids from wastewater can be used as fuel for heating, replacing fossil fuels and reducing the amount of biosolids sent to landfill. 

Local governments have an important role to play in providing pipes, water management and treatment infrastructure to ensure that water is safely handled. They can also play a role in monitoring privately run facilities to ensure compliance with environmental performance standards. Finally, cities can connect stakeholders to match supply and demand for non-potable water, energy and nutrients recovered from wastewater.


large_ivan-bandura-6wSevhW1Dzc-unsplash (1).jpg

medium_ivan-bandura-6wSevhW1Dzc-unsplash (1).jpg

small_ivan-bandura-6wSevhW1Dzc-unsplash (1).jpg

thumbnail_ivan-bandura-6wSevhW1Dzc-unsplash (1).jpg

ivan-bandura-6wSevhW1Dzc-unsplash (1).jpg

💧  Recovery of nutrients and chemicals from wastewater and sludge

Globally, 13% of global resources consumed relate to mobility. This includes transport infrastructure, from roads, to rail, to cycle routes ([Ellen MacArthur Foundation](https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy-opportunity-and-benefit-factsheets)). Virgin materials sourced to build mobility infrastructure often include cement and asphalt, which are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions (cement—a constituent component of concrete—is responsible for an estimated 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions) ([BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46455844)). 

The materials that are required for the construction of transport infrastructure can be sourced from residual materials, to offset the demand for virgin resources. Construction techniques that utilise residual material are often less intensive in relation to greenhouse gas emissions, and can help to lower the material footprint of mobility infrastructure. A range of residual materials can be used within mobility infrastructure. These can come from conventional materials, such as cycled concrete and other stones and aggregate. As well as other residual materials such as plastics and rubber from end of life tyres. 

Local governments can support the cycling of materials for mobility infrastructure by mandating a certain proportion of recycled material input in tenders for new developments or renovations of existing infrastructure. For example, criteria could stipulate that all residual materials within renovations must be cycled back into the project, for example as aggregate. Alternatively, criteria could stipulate a minimum proportion of material inputs from cycled sources, or ban the landfilling of certain residual materials. Collaboration and engagement with local businesses can help local governments to identify the most appropriate criteria that the local market is able to satisfy, and support the most effective transition towards a more circular economy. 


large_andrew-kliatskyi-P46Fz8onsbs-unsplash.jpg

medium_andrew-kliatskyi-P46Fz8onsbs-unsplash.jpg

small_andrew-kliatskyi-P46Fz8onsbs-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_andrew-kliatskyi-P46Fz8onsbs-unsplash.jpg

andrew-kliatskyi-P46Fz8onsbs-unsplash.jpg

🚌  Cycled materials for mobility infrastructure

Put enablers in place that allow circular businessesto grow, thrive and innovate (e.g. incubators, start-up funding, partnerships, innovation deals, business capacity building and testing groundsfor new business models).


Support circular and resource-efficient business innovations

Do better with less by using and supporting infrastructure, processes and products that are designed to minimize material, water and energy use and waste generation from production to end of use


large_5R_Reduce.png

medium_5R_Reduce.png

small_5R_Reduce.png

thumbnail_5R_Reduce.png

5R_Reduce.png

Reduce

Ensure that household and business waste is collected and appropriately sorted (by type, label, etc.) to allow for maximum recovery of value.


Collect and sort waste to facilitate recovery

One of the greatest challenges of a city is to provide its inhabitants with safe, clean water from a limited fresh water supply. Improving the city’s water infrastructure efficiency, such as minimising leakages, reduces the strain put on the limited supply, which in turn, helps to ensure inhabitants gain access to clean and affordable water.

The water infrastructure of a city typically consists of components such as surface water diversions, wells, pumps, transmission pipes and canals, treatment and storage facilities, and distribution network elements ([Burian et al.](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123847034005098)). Options for improving the efficiency of the system include investing in water loss reduction systems, creating and following a regular maintenance program, and better matching water supply and demand ([Global Water Partnership](http://www.cawater-info.net/policybriefs/pdf/tec_brief_4_water_efficiency.pdf)).

Cities can improve the efficiency of their water system infrastructure by conducting a water audit, in which all water flows are traced and losses in the system are identified to map where the most efficiency improvements can be gained. Alongside this, asset management can be used to create a short-term and long-term strategy of investing in new equipment, refurbishing existing equipment and developing maintenance programmes to ensure infrastructure is as efficient as possible, and leaks are minimised. Such management programmes create financial transparency amongst all stakeholders and provide useful long-term planning for larger infrastructure changes ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/things-local-officials-should-do-sustainable-water-infrastructure)).

large_17028164117_0fb5257122_k.jpg

medium_17028164117_0fb5257122_k.jpg

small_17028164117_0fb5257122_k.jpg

thumbnail_17028164117_0fb5257122_k.jpg

17028164117_0fb5257122_k.jpg

💧  Improving water infrastructure efficiency

As cities have expanded, they have conventionally pushed space for agricultural activities to the peripheries and surrounding rural areas, and have become reliant on globalised supply chains. Cities can nevertheless have a home for organic urban and peri-urban agriculture. 

Organic urban and peri-urban agriculture refers to production of food that happens either in or near the city. It includes organic farming at any scale, and can also refer to small holders, various forms of private urban farming initiatives, and community initiatives (vegetable gardens). Organic urban and peri-urban agriculture can support food security in the city, boost biodiversity, as well as stimulate local economies and community participation.

A local government may stimulate and enable organic urban and peri-urban agriculture by making spaces in and near the city available for markets, growing spaces and waste processing through spatial planning. Communities may be engaged through the use of making information and tooling available, alongside making spaces in neighbourhoods available and accessible to different people through spatial planning. Local governments can support local food services businesses in sourcing and obtaining locally grown organic crops. 


small_Growing food.jpeg

thumbnail_Growing food.jpeg

Growing food.jpeg

🍏  Organic urban and peri-urban agriculture

**Harmonize with nature** by promoting infrastructure, production systems and sourcing that allows natural ecosystems to thrive




large_5R_Regenerate.png

medium_5R_Regenerate.png

small_5R_Regenerate.png

thumbnail_5R_Regenerate.png

5R_Regenerate.png

Regenerate

A key source of waste generated by urban residents stems from single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and packaging, and other fast moving consumer goods that are produced to be cheap and disposable. If this waste is not disposed of correctly, then such residual materials can pollute the environment. Waste that is generated in cities can also find its way outside of the city, for example, being carried in water ways to pollute other water bodies. 

Systems, initiatives and infrastructure can focus on preventing these types of waste from polluting the local environment. For example, infrastructure placed in local waterways can protect natural systems by diverting plastic pollution. Furthermore, other initiatives could clean up (plastic) waste directly to restore natural systems in a safe and effective way. 

Local governments can support the implementation of solutions by establishing partnerships with and promoting existing initiatives, as well as developing and financing the infrastructures that could reduce the pollution in the local environment.  

large_pexels-erik-mclean-4077246.jpg

medium_pexels-erik-mclean-4077246.jpg

small_pexels-erik-mclean-4077246.jpg

thumbnail_pexels-erik-mclean-4077246.jpg

pexels-erik-mclean-4077246.jpg

👕📱  Clean up pollution of fast moving consumer goods

Designing vehicles for maximum efficiency of resources is key in the circular economy. Circular design can allow vehicles to be manufactured using less resources, be easily remanufactured, parts to be swapped in and out (‘modular’), and/or space in the vehicle be reconfigured. Whereas digital technology can advance resource effective manufacturing techniques and support the automation of vehicles for sharing and mobility-as-a-service schemes.

For instance, vehicles can be ‘retrofitted’ to run off batteries, remanufactured, or designed to be dismantled and allow the reuse of parts and recycling of materials. And when batteries cannot be reused to power a passenger car any longer, they can be reused for less demanding tasks, such as storage of electricity from wind turbines and solar farms.

Cities can support business innovation towards these directions via direct financial and fiscal business support, by collaborating and engaging with circular businesses through urban Living Labs or other mechanisms, as well as setting up eco-industrial parks where by-products of one company can become a resource for another. 


large_eric-niklas-pZH_1McF2ac-unsplash.jpg

medium_eric-niklas-pZH_1McF2ac-unsplash.jpg

small_eric-niklas-pZH_1McF2ac-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_eric-niklas-pZH_1McF2ac-unsplash.jpg

eric-niklas-pZH_1McF2ac-unsplash.jpg

🚌  Circular vehicle design and circular business models

Local governments can act as the first movers, and accelerate the transition towards a more circular food system through integrating circular criteria into public procurement policies for food. Purchasing decisions by local governments, -such as buying food for canteens in municipal offices and schools-, have a large economic influence in the region, and create important market demand for circular businesses and products.

Criteria within public procurement could, for example, prioritise regionally and organically produced foods, encourage the use of recyclable packaging and assess food waste prevention. Low-carbon and plant-based menus could also be developed. Used strategically, public procurement can be used to drive innovation in the sector to meet these circular demands,for example, new circular cultivation techniques and technologies, and low-impact food and packaging products.


thumbnail_procurement.jpeg

procurement.jpeg

🍏  Circular public procurement of food products and services

Recent years have witnessed a shrinking of the lifespans of consumer goods, following trends in fast-fashion and planned obsolescence in consumer electronics. These patterns of unsustainable consumption lead to many consumer goods being thrown away after only a small amount of time, while perfectly usable.

Reuse hubs and networks can present a tangible solution to support the reuse of consumer goods. Reuse hubs provide a physical location to collect and offer consumer goods that are repaired, repurposed, reused. Consumer goods could range from furniture, to electronics, to clothing, and other consumer goods. Reuse hubs could even go as far as becoming a fully circular shopping centre, offering access to all different types of consumer goods. What is more, reuse hubs and supporting repair activities can be connected throughout a city to form a network to enable access to such goods and services throughout the entirety of a city. 

Local governments can support the development of reuse hubs by providing both financial and in-kind support, zoning particular areas for experimentation and reuse. Local governments can also play a key role in connecting existing activities throughout the city. What’s more, local governments can play a key role in promoting reuse and repair activities throughout a city to reduce marketing costs of these businesses and raise awareness for residents. Local governments may also stimulate skills development and make training available to repair and reuse organisations.


large__mg_2714.jpeg

medium__mg_2714.jpeg

small__mg_2714.jpeg

thumbnail__mg_2714.jpeg

_mg_2714.jpeg

👕📱  Reuse centres and networks

Increase efficiency and promote local economic growth by shortening supply chains and connecting local producers to consumers.


Support local low-impact circular economies

The most common and visible problems associated with vehicle use and transportation in cities are road accidents, air pollution, or traffic congestion. However, vehicles also present a problem at the end of their life. They continue to take up space in landfill (although sometimes in a compacted form), and even if fossil fuel vehicles are phased out, the shift to electric vehicles in the short term could lead to more internal combustion engine vehicles being scrapped, and to a mountain of battery waste in the longer term.

High-value reuse, and recycling of vehicles and their components, is key to a sustainable future of mobility. When reuse is not an option, advanced recycling technologies can extract valuable raw materials, such as lithium and cobalt, before batteries are disposed of. This would not only reduce the burden on incinerators and landfills, but could provide a new, local and circular source of critical materials for the automotive industry. 

Although only few initiatives exist at the municipal level to support high-value reuse and recycling of vehicle components, many initiatives are being supported at national level and businesses are taking the lead in implementing pilot projects across Europe. In the future, local governments could support the recycling of materials by implementing environmental standards for pollution reduction, dismantling, crushing and shredding of vehicles, as well as financial incentives (such as tax rebates and subsidies.) for remanufacturing of cars and part recovery. Alternatively, cities could ban the landfilling of scrap metals and batteries without any previous treatment. Collaboration and engagement with local businesses can help local governments to accelerate research and disseminate knowledge about circular economy approaches to end-of-life vehicle management. 


large_jose-pinto-yeMpSqF8Z-8-unsplash.jpg

medium_jose-pinto-yeMpSqF8Z-8-unsplash.jpg

small_jose-pinto-yeMpSqF8Z-8-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_jose-pinto-yeMpSqF8Z-8-unsplash.jpg

jose-pinto-yeMpSqF8Z-8-unsplash.jpg

🚌  Recycling of vehicle components

Mixed household waste - consisting of textiles, electronics, organic and other consumer goods - can be contaminated and difficult to separate, and hence limit the  recovery of materials and value.

Source separation reduces the upstream sorting cost and ensures that downstream recyclers receive clean feedstock, thus improving their ability to capture the value from post-consumer material streams. Source separation systems can take a variety of forms, such as providing a distributed network of collection points throughout a city for residents to drop off various types of waste materials. The most successful examples of this include: collection of electronics, plastics, waste oil, fabrics, metals, bulky goods, paper, cardboard, batteries, amongst others.

Local governments can support the implementation of the solution by developing and providing the necessary infrastructure throughout the city or engage in public-private partnerships to provide source separation systems. What is more, information campaigns can help to inform residents on which types of consumer goods can be recovered, and the most effective means of disposal. 


large_14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

medium_14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

small_14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

thumbnail_14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

👕📱  Source separation and collection systems for consumer goods 

Water is not only at the core of different public services cities provide, including application and sanitation, water also acts as a carrier of nutrients and energy which can benefit other urban systems. However, Global demand for freshwater will exceed viable resources by 40% by 2030, if we continue with business as usual ([ARUP](https://www.arup.com/-/media/arup/files/publications/w/water_and_circular_economy_whitepaper.pdf)). Exploring the synergistic link between water, food and energy in urban systems becomes central to sustainable development and the sustainable management of water. Urban changemakers in all three areas should start taking a more holistic approach to water management—from water resource management, to ecosystem protection and water supply and sanitation ([UN Water](https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/water-food-and-energy/)).

Bringing circularity within the food-water-energy nexus means recognising all urban water flows—drinking water, stormwater, wastewater and source water—as potential resources for use across these three sectors. Circular water systems can maximise synergies between food water and energy systems by protecting water availability to maintain agricultural production in water scarce regions, or by recovering energy from wastewater treatment, replacing fossil fuels used for cooking or heating. Solid organic matter, or biosolids, recovered from a sewage treatment can also be used as a fertiliser, preventing harmful chemicals from polluting water streams so that water sources are clean and safe to drink.

Local governments can govern the food-water-energy nexus by looking holistically at the city’s infrastructure. They can update city plans to integrate Green Blue Infrastructure (GBI) which can provide tangible benefits to each dimension of the food-water-energy nexus. Parks, green walls, waterways and greenways can, for example, provide food, water, fibre and fuel to support the urban ecosystem. Moreover, bringing different actors together, from the department of water resources, food safety, as well as energy and planning, is at the heart of any form of integrated planning. To spur cross-sectoral collaboration, for instance, cities can convene different actors on dedicated platforms and facilitate effective communication between different city departments and public organisations. Embedding a nexus strategy in municipal policy may lay a foundation for cross departmental budgeting and program implementation.


large_8264025043_e0cb037307_k.jpg

medium_8264025043_e0cb037307_k.jpg

small_8264025043_e0cb037307_k.jpg

thumbnail_8264025043_e0cb037307_k.jpg

8264025043_e0cb037307_k.jpg

💧 🍏 ⚡  Supporting solutions that maximise synergies between food water and energy systems

Much of the world’s croplands are situated within peri-urban areas, yet this food is often not consumed in its neighbouring urban area, rather it is exported and consumed vast distances away. By strengthening links with food producers in surrounding peri-urban and urban areas, to create city-region food systems, cities can influence the way food is produced and how resources are managed. For example, reconnecting cities with their local food production can create local economies, encourage local seasonal diets, denser local transport networks, and even support regenerative techniques that support native crop varieties. This in conjunction with trade supports a more distributed system that relies on a diverse range of suppliers, and can cycle nutrients from food wastes back to the surrounding ecosystem. 

To foster city-region food systems, local governments can engage and convene stakeholders along the local food chain, from farmers, to logistics companies, to jointly envision the path to a local circular food system. This can be facilitated through the creation of platforms to connect local stakeholders. The City can also stimulate the use of regionally and regeneratively produced foods through, for example, rewarding best practices, and raising public awareness through campaigns. 


large_justin-luebke-BkkVcWUgwEk-unsplash.jpeg

medium_justin-luebke-BkkVcWUgwEk-unsplash.jpeg

small_justin-luebke-BkkVcWUgwEk-unsplash.jpeg

thumbnail_justin-luebke-BkkVcWUgwEk-unsplash.jpeg

justin-luebke-BkkVcWUgwEk-unsplash.jpeg

🍏  Strengthen urban-rural links within the food system

In many industrial processes and in data centres, part of the energy input is lost as residual heat. It is possible to recover the excess heat to be used as a new source of energy. Recovering and utilising residual heat reduces the demand for additional heat generation. In turn, this reduces fuel requirements, and subsequently emissions if fossil fuels are used to generate heat.

Residual heat can be recovered via pipelines and reused again on-site, or transported to another location for another use, such as district heating which heats the homes of residents. In cases where the temperature of the recovered heat is too low, heat pumps can facilitate increasing the temperature to a more suitable temperature. 

Local governments can utilise their wide knowledge and influence to map residual heat flows and heat demand sites to help connect heat supply and demand across stakeholders in the most optimal way. As well as supplying industry with this knowledge, local governments can provide subsidies to industrial sites and data centers to help them to procure the relevant infrastructure and additional technology (e.g. heat pumps). What is more, local governments can commission the development of district heating networks.
