Abstract
Abstract The linear pattern of production-consumption-disposal of cities around the world will continue to increase the emission of pollutants and stocks of waste, as well as to impact on the irreversible deterioration of non-renewable stocks of raw materials. A transition towards a circular pattern proposed by the concept of ‘Circular Cities’ is gaining momentum. As part of this urban transition, the emergent use of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) intends to shift public opinion and utilize technology to mitigate the urban environmental impact. In this paper, an analysis of the current research and practical investments for implementing NBS under the umbrella of Circular Cities is conducted. A combined appraisal of the latest literature and a survey of ongoing and completed National-European research and development projects provides an overview of the current enabling tools, methodologies, and initiatives for public engagement. It also identifies and describes the links between facilitators and barriers with respect to existing policies and regulations, public awareness and engagement, and scientific and technological instruments. The paper concludes introducing the most promising methods, physical and digital technologies that may lead the way to Sustainable Circular Cities. The results of this research provide useful insight for citizens, scientists, practitioners, investors, policy makers, and strategists to channel efforts on switching from a linear to a circular thinking for the future of cities.
Highlights
Cities are complex systems under continuous evolution, whose internal dynamics and process interactions generate impacts on the population’s health, socio-economic well-being, and the environment (Alberti 2008; Pickett et al 2008)
The effect of consuming diminishing raw materials at a faster rate than the ability of nature to restore is a matter of serious global concern
To identify the current gaps and opportunities regarding the transformation tools enabling the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for creating Circular Cities as stated in the introduction, an analysis was performed that includes: (i) the interconnections between policies and regulations, engagement and participation of stakeholders, and tools and assessment methodologies, during the implementation of NBS; (ii) a literature review focusing on the up-to-date scientific research; and (iii) a survey of projects related to NBS for creating Circular Cities that would enable the comparison between scientific research and practical applications
Summary
Cities are complex systems under continuous evolution, whose internal dynamics and process interactions generate impacts on the population’s health, socio-economic well-being, and the environment (Alberti 2008; Pickett et al 2008) Nowadays these impacts are mainly driven by a ‘linear’ behaviour according to which exploitable resources are transported to the cities to provide the necessities of urban consumption and waste dynamics. The patterns of acquisition, consumption and the subsequent waste disposal of resources pose environmental and socio-economic implications These patterns may cause irreversible deteriorations of non-renewable stocks of raw materials and huge waste discharged in the outflow of the urban system (Brunner & Rechberger 2016). The effect of consuming diminishing raw materials at a faster rate than the ability of nature to restore is a matter of serious global concern
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