Abstract
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.
Highlights
Cities worldwide are facing a number of challenges including resource depletion, climate change and degradation of ecosystems
nature-based solutions (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
NBS and guest doi: 10.2166/bgs.2020.933 infrastructure (GI) can provide mutual ecosystem services such as regulation of micro-climates, flood prevention, water treatment and food provision which are beneficial for the urban environment
Summary
Cities worldwide are facing a number of challenges including resource depletion, climate change and degradation of ecosystems. Such systems would allow cities to cope with the global challenges of resource depletion as a consequence of increasing pollution and climate change In this COST Action, the definition of a common language and understanding across disciplines are seen as crucial success factor, while circular economy (CE) concepts are seen as key approach and NBS or GI solutions are seen as core elements of the toolbox. In addition to reducing the production and spread of hazardous materials, NBS will have additional benefits on type and method of resource use, reuse and recycling based on CE principles for the urban biosphere This COST Action develops combined approaches to implement NBS within a CE environment enhancing the benefits provided by the implementation of NBS and increasing the reuse of ‘secondary raw materials’ such as organic matter, nutrients and water. For more details about COST Actions, the reader is referred to the COST website at https://www. cost.eu
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
