CE in Cities Policy Levers Mar19

PAGE • 1
CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN CITIES

CITY GOVERNMENTS AND THEIR ROLE IN ENABLING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITION
CITY GOVERNMENTS
AND THEIR ROLE IN
ENABLING A CIRCULAR
ECONOMY TRANSITION
AN OVERVIEW OF
URBAN POLICY LEVERS
© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/our-work/activities/circular-economy-in-cities
PAGE • 2
CONTENTS
CITY GOVERNMENTS AND THEIR ROLE IN ENABLING A
CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITION
CITIES ARE CENTRES FOR CHANGE 4
URBAN POLICY LEVERS FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY
TRANSITIONS5
INTERLINKAGES AND RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN POLICY LEVERS 6
CULTURES AND APPROACHES THAT CAN
SUPPORT A CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITION 8
URBAN POLICY LEVERS
ROADMAPS AND STRATEGIES 10
CONVENING AND PARTNERING 12
AWARENESS RAISING 14
CAPACITY BUILDING 16
URBAN PLANNING 18
ASSET MANAGEMENT 20
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT 22
FINANCIAL SUPPORT 24
FISCAL MEASURES 26
LEGISLATION AND REGULATION 28
ENDNOTES 30
This paper is part of Circular economy in cities by the Ellen

MacArthur Foundation, a project that contains a suite of
easily accessible reference resources, available online. The
resources include:
• A vision of circular economy opportunities in three
urban systems - buildings, mobility, products
• Circular economy opportunities and benefits factsheets
in the three systems
• This urban policy levers paper
• City-led circular economy case studies focusing on
action in the field
• Links to other networks and resources that support
circular economy transitions in cities

PAGE • 3
CITY GOVERNMENTS AND

THEIR ROLE IN ENABLING
A CIRCULAR ECONOMY
TRANSITION

PAGE • 4
CITIES ARE CENTRES

FOR CHANGE
City governments have a key role to play in City governments can engage, incentivise, manage,
building thriving, liveable, resilient cities that are and set a regulatory framework to set the enabling
regenerative by design. Their proximity to the conditions for cities fit for the 21st century to
everyday concerns and needs of urban citizens emerge. They can set a direction of travel. By
and businesses, and the policy levers they have embedding circular economy principles into urban
at their disposal gives them this key role. City policy levers, cities can bring about changes to
governments see, experience, and often manage the use and management of materials in cities;
the negative consequences of the current ‘take- and urban priorities around access to housing,
make-waste’ linear economy, be it through the mobility and economic development can also be
public funds spent on solid waste management, met in a way that supports prosperity, jobs, health
the costs incurred from structural waste such and communities. Changes to material choices,
as the cost of underutilised buildings, economic uses and management, can also open up local
costs due to congestion, or health costs due to production opportunities.
air and noise pollution. The challenges of a take-
In cities underpinned by circular economy
make-waste linear economy concentrate in cities
principles, urban policy levers work to enable:
but cities are also centres for change. Cities can
catalyse wider system transformation. In recent
years, city governments have become bolder in Waste and pollution
leading such change.1 to be designed out
of products and
urban systems
Materials to be kept
in use and maintain
their value
Natural systems in
and around cities to
regenerate
The importance of creating responsible

consumption and production and taking a new
approach to materials and value in line with
circular economy principles is also identified in the
Sustainable Development Goals. SDG 11 Sustainable
Cities and Communities and SDG 12 Responsible
Consumption and Production are closely linked.
The International Resource Panel has noted that
circular economy is key to achieving SDG 12
Responsible Consumption and Production, and
that success in this area will have positive benefits
for the wider SDGs and can help to mitigate
many trade-offs.2 Similarly, circular economy is
being embraced as a key framework for delivering
climate objectives.3

PAGE • 5
URBAN POLICY LEVERS

FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY
TRANSITIONS
Building on Delivering the circular economy: A It is also the case that the various policy levers
toolkit for policymakers4 and focusing specifically are strongly interlinked. For example, in order to
on the city level, this project identifies ten transition towards circular asset management
policy levers as key to urban circular economy practices, raising awareness amongst asset
transitions. managers will be important, as will ensuring that
public procurement and financial measures are
The autonomy and scope to pull these policy
supportive. A policymaker will naturally have to
levers varies from city to city. Some cities will have
consider the interrelationships and coherence
a greater ability to use certain policy levers than
of different policy levers and specific measures
others, since city powers are not uniform and are
within them, in addition to other factors such as
dependent on the relationship to other tiers of
the individual cost-effectiveness and distributional
government.5
effects of any given policy.6
Click on the Policy Lever titles below to jump

directly to its respective chapter.
FIGURE 1: URBAN POLICY LEVERS FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITIONS
VISION ENGAGEMENT URBAN ECONOMIC R E G U L AT I O N

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVES
ROADMAPS AND CONVENING URBAN FINANCIAL L E G I S L AT I O N

S T R AT E G I E S AND PLANNING SUPPORT AND
PA R T N E R I N G R E G U L AT I O N
AWA R E N E S S ASSET FISCAL

RAISING MANAGEMENT MEASURES
C A PAC I T Y PUBLIC
BUILDING PROCUREMENT

PAGE • 6
INTERLINKAGES AND
R E L AT I O N S H I P S B E T W E E N
POLICY LEVERS
To capture some of the relationships between the ten policy levers,
five categories emerge and their interlinkages are indicated in the
diagram below.
FIGURE 2: INTERLINKAGES AND

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN POLICY LEVERS
VISION
E N G AG E M E N T
URBAN ECONOMIC
M A N AG E M E N T INCENTIVES
R E G U L AT I O N
The five categories include:
VISION
Roadmaps and strategies can provide overarching
direction. By setting strategic goals, circular economy
city roadmaps and strategies can set a direction for a
city and inform the development of other policy levers,
such as urban planning standards or material and waste
classifications and regulations. Engaging urban stakeholders
in the development of a roadmap can also strengthen its
effectiveness and a sense of shared ownership.

PAGE • 7
ENGAGEMENT ECONOMIC
City governments have a unique ability to engage INCENTIVES
with multiple stakeholders from across sectors City governments can use financial support to help
and catalyse action. This is key to the emergence foster innovation and new markets, whilst fiscal
in cities of circular economy opportunities, which measures such as taxes, penalties, and charges,
require understanding, collaboration, and action can help incentivise or discourage behaviours.
within and between sectors. Policy levers in this Policy levers in this category are frequently
category are Convening and partnering, Awareness referred to as economic tools and fall into two
raising, and Capacity building. Engagement main categories - Financial support and Fiscal
policy levers can raise awareness of circular measures - both of which can incentivise circular
economy opportunities, and strengthen the economy opportunities. The degree of autonomy
capacity of others to seize them (such as capacity cities have to pull these levers varies greatly and
building programmes for SMEs or skills training they are therefore often developed in partnership
programmes). Convening and engaging with with higher tiers of government.
stakeholders in a variety of ways can also support
the design and application of other policy levers,
such as creating a sense of shared ownership of
a circular economy city roadmap, working with
businesses to identify regulatory barriers, and
understanding how other policy levers can best be
developed. Convening stakeholders can also lead
to collaborations and partnerships that might not
otherwise have emerged.
R E G U L AT I O N
Legislation and regulation is a core domain of
government and can play an important role in
shaping markets, influencing behaviour, and
removing barriers that inhibit progress. In doing
so, it can reinforce and support other policy levers
(such as regulations regarding housing density or
affordability impacting the the process of urban
URBAN planning). Legislation and regulation is frequently
MANAGEMENT developed together with regional or national
governments.
City governments have a strong influence over the
physical development of a city, the management
of its assets, and the procurement of public goods Traditionally, powers delegated to cities such as
and services. Policy levers in this category are urban management policy levers and economic
Urban planning, Asset management, and Public incentive policy levers, as well as regulation,
procurement. Each relates strongly to the choice, have been associated with the greatest ability
design, use, and flow of materials in a city, making to achieve change. However having limited
them key to the transition to a circular economy. power in these areas need not hinder a transition
They also relate strongly to each other: the way to a circular economy.7 As urban challenges
in which land-use is planned by a city has an have grown more complex and interconnected,
influence on how assets on that land can be governance environments more fragmented,
managed; and circular asset management practices and public resources often diminished, the
can inform public procurement standards and vice- importance of traditionally softer, engagement-
versa. As with other levers, urban management related policy levers to deliver policy goals has
levers are not self-contained and can be guided increased.8 In this vein, a study of climate actions
by circular economy strategies and regulations, taken by city governments around the world
involve significant collaboration and partnerships, noted that “the way cities use their powers is
and benefit from economic incentives. more important than the dimensions of powers
they have”.9

PAGE • 8
C U LT U R E S A N D A P P R O A C H E S
T H AT C A N S U P P O R T A
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
TRANSITION
The benefits of a collaborative governance approach, particularly
with regard to tackling systemic issues, are growing. The study
on city government climate actions noted that “a collaborative
approach to governance can deliver twice as many actions compared
to less partnership-based approaches”.10
A collaborative governance approach can be By taking a collaborative approach to governance,
1
supported by three underlying culture traits:11 system linkages and opportunities can be
uncovered. Systems thinking is essential for
A culture in which integration
transitioning to a circular economy and is apt
across topic silos is nurtured and
to apply to cities, which are complex, adaptive,
supported. To take a systemic view
dynamic systems made up of interconnected,
and develop solutions built on
often interdependent parts. Cities can be seen as
circular economy principles,
urban ecosystems with natural resources, energy,
working with and across different
raw materials, food, and goods interacting and
topics, skills, and disciplines can be
impacting on the daily lives and economic activity
key, such as in cross-cutting
of the people within them.15 For example, changes
thematic teams or departments. This can bring a
to the materials and construction methods used
new lens and unearth new solutions that meet
in buildings can impact human and environmental
multiple policy objectives. Strategic, system-
health, and changes in retail business models can
2
focused, and open environments can nurture
impact patterns of resident and freight mobility.
integration across silos.12
The circular economy opportunities in buildings,
A culture of innovation in which mobility, and products are explored in the Circular
experimentation, iteration, and economy in cities Factsheets.
learning is supported. Circular
economy by its very nature
demands innovation in business
models, design and production,
GRATIO
and the ways in which materials are TE
accessed, used, and reused. To enable and
IN
incentivise these new practices, while managing

the risks, policymaking can also benefit from a
culture of innovation. Visionary, facilitating, and
3
supportive environments can help nurture a culture
of innovation.13
A culture of inclusion and
participation to support and
develop locally impactful
solutions. Cities are about people.
INNOVA
Taking an inclusive approach to

SION
urban policy making allows for

residents’ priorities and needs to
LU
be addressed and their experiences drawn on.

TI
INC ON
Participation in urban policy making also leads to a
deeper level of engagement with residents and can
bring value to cities. Collaborative, supportive, and
empowering environments can enable a culture of
inclusion and participation.14

PAGE • 9
URBAN
POLICY
LEVERS
The following section discusses the ten urban policy

levers city governments can use, depending on
their powers, to enable the emergence of a circular
economy. Over 100 cases from more than 70 cities
around the world have been included to provide
short, practical examples of the various policy steps
taken by city governments in the journey towards
building thriving, liveable, and resilient cities that are
regenerative by design. Of course no single measure
can deliver a complete transition, nor are the examples
given here exhaustive. It is in combination, and with
ever deeper understanding of circular economy, that
policy can develop and set strong enabling conditions.
In this section, please note the following:

• Where a city government example is given, the city’s
name is noted in the colour of the policy lever.
• Where a city’s name is in colour and in bold, this
signifies that the example is included within the city-
led case study module of the Circular economy in
cities project, as of March 2019. More city-led case
studies may be added over time.
• To jump back to the policy lever overview on page
5, click on the link located at the top of each policy
lever page.

PAGE • 10
BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW
ION
VIS
ROADMAPS AND
S T R AT E G I E S
Circular economy city roadmaps set a direction of travel for a
city, help orientate other policy levers, and offer an invaluable
opportunity to raise ambitions and engage stakeholders in
addressing future opportunities for the city. Near, mid and long-term
goals can be defined, and connection points and opportunities across
different sectors identified. Strategies for sectors (such as transport)
or specific policy levers (e.g. public procurement, urban planning,
asset management) dive into more detail.
An increasing number of circular economy from the European Union’s Circular Economy
roadmaps and policy strategies are emerging Action Plan when developing circular economy city
at all tiers of government, from local to strategies.23
international. At the city level, strategies are
emerging in capitals such as Amsterdam, London, MAKING USE OF URBAN METABOLISM TOOLS
Paris, major cities such as Auckland and Charlotte, In the development of circular economy roadmaps
or smaller cities such as Venlo and Peterborough. and policy strategies, several cities have used
These circular economy city roadmaps and urban metabolism tools to assess urban resource
strategies combine aspiration with practical next flows and connect these to circular economy
steps and inform developments across other opportunities and intervention points. Depending
policy levers. on the breadth of the tools used, the flow of
materials, energy, people, and information can be
Reflecting on the emergence of circular economy explored to understand how these flows shape
city roadmaps, several observations can be made: cities, meet residents’ needs, and impact on
surrounding areas.24 Brussels, Charlotte, Glasgow,
NO SINGLE ROUTE FOR DEVELOPING CIRCULAR
São Paulo, and Sorsogon have all used variations
ECONOMY CITY ROADMAPS EXISTS
of urban metabolism tools to develop their circular
Some cities are developing circular economy policy
economy roadmaps.
strategies that tie directly into national visions,
such as Shenzhen’s Circular Economy 13th Five TAKING A SECTOR-BASED APPROACH
Year Plan that ties directly to China’s 13th Five Year Several cities have developed circular economy
Plan. Others are developing city plans in parallel roadmaps that focus on priority sectors within
with national plans, such as Paris’ Circular Economy their cities. Buildings and construction, mobility
Plan16 issued shortly ahead of France’s Circular and logistics, and food and the bio-economy
Economy Roadmap17, or in Slovenia with the city of have been frequent focus areas. Vancouver is an
Maribor’s strategy18 issued shortly after Slovenia’s example of a city that has developed a bespoke
Roadmap for a Circular Economy.19 Others are circular economy plan in the fashion and textiles
creating roadmaps prior to national visions being sector.25 Rotterdam has developed a vision of
set out such as London’s Circular Economy Route a future bio-based port that builds on circular
Map20, Brussels’ Regional Programme for a Circular economy principles.26
Economy21 and Charlotte’s Circular Charlotte vision
development.22 European cities have also drawn

PAGE • 11
CO-DEVELOPING CITY VISIONS WITH A WIDE In follow up to circular economy roadmaps, in

RANGE OF URBAN STAKEHOLDERS parallel, or as stand-alone initiatives, several cities
Bringing together businesses, civil society, and are mainstreaming circular economy into specific
residents with government in the design of a city’s policy strategies:
vision can raise awareness, uncover unexpected
opportunities, and create a sense of shared MAINSTREAMING CIRCULAR ECONOMY
ownership of and commitment to a plan. The PRINCIPLES INTO SPECIFIC POLICY LEVERS
development of the Brussels27 and Paris28 circular Integration into public procurement frameworks
economy roadmaps both involved upwards of 100 has been a key early focus area for cities. London
stakeholders (see Convening and partnering, and has updated its Greater London Authority Group
Awareness raising). Responsible Procurement Policy using circular
economy principles in parallel to developing the
IDENTIFYING INDICATORS AND METRICS London Circular Economy Route Map.30 Toronto
AGAINST WHICH TO MEASURE PROGRESS has also focused on developing a Circular Economy
In order to measure progress in a transition Procurement Implementation Plan and Framework
to a circular economy, cities such as London that can be embraced across city departments.31
and Toronto, as well as smaller cities such as Urban planning strategies have also emerged as an
Peterborough, are working to develop key important policy area in to which circular economy
indicators as part of their circular economy city principles can be integrated. London is integrating
roadmaps or as a natural next step. Existing circular economy principles into its ‘draft’ London
resource-based indicators, such as reductions Plan32 and Venlo has integrated circular economy
in landfill and incineration rates and increases principles into its Spatial Structure Plan to provide
in recycling rates, are important as are existing a guideline for area development.33 Paris’ Circular
indicators around emissions, air, water and soil Economy Plan also identified urban planning, and
quality, and increases in energy from renewable public procurement, as key areas into which to
sources. However, those indicators should not be integrate circular economy principles in order to
considered individually or in isolation and need achieve Paris’ 2017-2020 circular economy plan.34
to be connected to achieving the principles of
a circular economy. Indicators measuring other MAINSTREAMING CIRCULAR ECONOMY INTO
positive impacts of circular economy projects and OTHER CROSS-CUTTING POLICY STRATEGIES
initiatives, such as jobs, skills and patents or open Circular economy principles are being recognised
designs can play a key role in a city’s measurement as key to delivering on cross-cutting policy
framework. The development of a comprehensive objectives such as resilience strategies, as is the
set of indicators to monitor circular economy case in Rome35, and climate action plans, as is the
progress at the city level is ongoing, and various case in Paris.36
groups, such as the Urban Agenda for the EU,
are seeking to develop guidance documents on
circular economy indicators for cities.29

PAGE • 12
N
GE ME
GA
N
CONVENING AND
PA R T N E R I N G
Local governments have the ability to convene, facilitate, and spur
collaboration between public, private, and civic leaders.37 Engaging
multiple stakeholders in public policy creation and delivery is
particularly valuable when innovating and making system changes,
as is the case when enabling and developing circular economy
opportunities. Convening and partnering with stakeholders can
also help to achieve greater scale, shared ownership, and mutually
beneficial impact.
Transitioning to a circular economy involves as a continuation of their Resource and Waste
changing systems - an objective no single Plan 2019-2024, the city hosted a workshop where
actor can achieve alone. Governments have people could come together, and share ideas
an unparalleled ability to convene multiple on how the municipality and private companies
stakeholders and city governments are no could work together, to transform waste into
exception. Stakeholder engagement is often circular economy products and services.38 In
key to the development of effective circular Seoul, the city created Share Hub, an offline and
economy roadmaps and policy strategies online community, that brings together the city
(see Roadmaps and strategies). The ability to government, companies, and residents interested
convene stakeholders can also help to raise in sharing economy opportunities in the city. It
awareness of circular economy opportunities is a space where knowledge can be exchanged,
(see Awareness raising), whilst partnerships can initiatives presented, and connections made
help build capacity for innovation and the scaling to services and organisations that share public
of circular economy practices in the city (see and private resources.39 In London, the Circular
Capacity building). Convening and partnering London programme works to bring a wide range
with stakeholders within city departments, in of stakeholders together for collaboration and
other sectors, and in other cities can help reveal helps to reinforce the circular economy business
solutions to current barriers. The process of being support and investment opportunities provided
involved in policy making can create a shared by the Advance London programme (see Capacity
ownership and commitment to city goals that are building, and Financial support).40 Several cities
mutually beneficial. have also worked closely with their local Chambers
Of Commerce to convene local businesses and
Cities are using this policy lever in a variety of ways
identify circular economy opportunities. The
to help deliver transformation:
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce hosted a number
of multi-stakeholder summits that stimulated
CONVENING STAKEHOLDERS TO STIMULATE
public and private sector engagement as well as
COLLABORATION AROUND CIRCULAR ECONOMY
deepened understanding of the opportunities for
OPPORTUNITIES
specific sectors in the city.
Developing circular economy networks and
commitments between city governments,
WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY
businesses, and civil society can be a first step to
REGULATORY BARRIERS
deeper partnerships and actions. In Copenhagen,
When regulations, bylaws or conditions are present

PAGE • 13
that inhibit circular economy development within • Policy innovation labs create space for a
the city, city governments can consider revising city government to work with residents and
or removing those obstacles (see Legislation local actors in the identification, piloting and
and regulation). This process can require scaling up of ideas. Such labs can encourage
collaboration with different tiers of government. co-creation and experimentation, and can
To stimulate innovation on the circular economy support human-centred localised solutions to
and help identify regulatory barriers, the European emerge. Within a broad civic research agenda,
Commission has, for example, put in place Boston’s New Urban Mechanics team has
Innovation Deals41 on Circular Economy.42 In the engaged residents and local actors in housing
Urban Agenda for the EU, a body of European innovations to make the best use of urban
urban stakeholders drafted the Circular Economy space and existing buildings, leading to pilots
Action Plan that included a focus on amending around compact living and intergenerational
existing and designing future waste and water home sharing.50 Laboratorio para la Ciudad,
legislation. The aim is to enable the re-use of in Mexico City, plays a similar role bringing
discarded waste and water in cities without local voices into policy development.51 The
compromising current levels of protection of non profit organisation, City Innovate, runs a
public health and the environment, while also Startup in Residents (STIR) programme that
limiting legislative burdens.43 In Brussels, a Circular brings start-ups and city government teams
Regulation Deal was setup through its Regional together in applicant cities in North America
Programme for a Circular Economy that brings to work on issues ranging from encouraging
together public and private sector actors to work multi-modal and walking transits, to using
together and help identify regulatory barriers in data to aid urban planners and resource
different sectors. management initiatives.52
SHARING KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHER CITIES TO • Participatory budgeting encourages the

SUPPORT A CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITION involvement of residents in policymaking,
City governments are also developing best practice helping to develop locally appropriate
solutions by sharing and learning from each other solutions. Where residents have participated
and engaging in multi-stakeholder networks. in the design and implementation of a policy
Cities actively participate in the circular economy measure, this can enhance the policy’s
networks of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, that overall impact. While just a small portion of
include businesses, universities, and governments.44 a city government’s budget is allocated to
Cities also join multi-topic governmental networks participatory budgeting, the concept has
such as EUROCITIES, ICLEI, and the Covenant of spread across continents since it started in
Mayors that each include circular economy focus Porto Alegre, Brazil.53 Paris has created the
areas. Topic focused city networks, such as C40 largest participatory budget programme,
and 100 Resilient Cities, include circular economy with 5% of its investment budget allocated,
opportunities as key delivery mechanisms equating to half a billion euros for the
for meeting climate and resilience objectives, 2014-2020 period.54 Projects span a wide
hence the inclusion of circular economy in these range of issues, from city greening, to
strategies (see Roadmaps and strategies). A C40 improving walking, biking and mass transit,
waste and resource network event, also gave Milan to tool libraries.55 Seoul has also stressed
the opportunity to learn from cities such as Tokyo, the importance of resident engagement by
San Francisco, and Seoul with regard to food allocating KRW 50 billion annually to its
waste collection, supporting Milan’s own efforts residents’ participatory budget scheme.56 Both
that went on to exceed the European Union food cities have set up online proposal systems
waste recycling target.45,46 Local city networks are for residents to share their ideas and vote on
also valuable. In Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland them, alongside in-person engagement that
is supporting multiple cities to develop circular deepens understanding and insight sharing.
economy opportunities following its involvement • Crowdsourcing and challenge mechanisms
with Glasgow and through the process, is can also draw public-private-people
creating a regional network. In Portugal, a local partnerships together to co-create local
city network for circular economy knowledge- solutions. In 2018, Glasgow held a Circular
exchange is emerging with support of the national Lab Challenge, to crowdsource ideas and
government.47 The CircE Interreg project brings increase public and SME engagement in the
together eight European regions and cities to share city’s circular economy vision. Also in 2018,
and learn from each other about how policy levers the cities of Pittsburgh, Miami, and Grand
can be used to support the transition.48 Other Rapids partnered and collaborated with
networks focused on specific circular economy Ford in the City of Tomorrow competition
elements also exist. For example, the Sharing in the quest to crowdsource new ideas
Cities Alliance that brings together cities around urban mobility that cut emissions,
working on sharing economy policies, which improved the flow of people and goods, and
includes Amsterdam.49 improve urban productivity.57 Similarly, cities
have participated in the Bloomberg Mayors
USING PARTICIPATION MECHANISMS TO
Challenge leveraging citizen participation
UNCOVER CIRCULAR ECONOMY OPPORTUNITIES
and co-design principles.58 Circular economy
The participation of residents and local actors
opportunities have been among the many
helps to ensure that system changes are locally
ideas included in the challenge, such as the
appropriate. Participation mechanisms include:
creation of space and skill sharing platforms
and ride-share partnerships.

PAGE • 14
N
GE ME
GA
N
AWA R E N E S S
RAISING
Raising awareness of circular economy opportunities is key to
supporting local transitions. Knowledge sharing and communication
campaigns are some of the ways in which cities can increase
awareness of circular economy best practices, initiatives, and market
opportunities.
From waste elimination to economic city initiatives, such as Brussels62, Glasgow63,
development, city governments have an incentive and Rotterdam64, that provide an opportunity
to foster an understanding of circular economy to showcase emerging and local best practices.
opportunities amongst businesses, civil society, Cities including Amsterdam65 and Peterborough66
and residents. Many roadmaps involve a large have also combined circular economy information
element of awareness raising, through their alongside smart city information, raising awareness
inclusion of stakeholders, to the identification of the enabling role technology can play in circular
of the potential size of the benefits in lead economy opportunities.
sectors. The London Circular Economy Route
Map estimated that London could receive a net HOSTING AND SUPPORTING AWARENESS-
benefit of up to GBP 7 billion a year by 2036 if RAISING EVENTS
the city would accelerate its transition towards As part of London’s communications and
a circular economy.59 In Auckland, a net benefit awareness raising efforts, it has hosted a circular
of up to NZD 8.8 billion by 2030 is estimated.60 economy week to showcase local activity and work
Other tools such as communications campaigns to reach a larger audience.67 New York City has
and showcase projects can be important in backed a similar circular economy week in New
helping disseminate the opportunities that a York.68
circular economy can bring locally. To residents,
this can mean gaining an understanding of areas USING COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS TO
in the city where they can share, rent, repair or ENCOURAGE NEW HABITS
recycle their products, while for companies this Awareness raising campaigns can play a key role
could mean gaining insights from best practice in supporting behaviour change.69 For Ljubljana,
examples. communication was core to achieving a 61%
separated collection rate for different material
City governments are raising awareness in a variety streams in 2014.70 The public waste management
of ways, including: company launched the “Get used to reusing”
campaign and organised media field trips to help
MAKING INFORMATION ON CIRCULAR encourage waste reduction, reuse, and responsible
ECONOMY CITY PLANS AND INITIATIVES EASILY consumption. Other campaign examples include
ACCESSIBLE ONLINE Amsterdam’s71 “Amsterdam makes a difference”
Several city governments and departments have and London’s72 “Love not landfill”, “Recycle for
developed websites and webpages that inform London”, and “Love food hate waste”. The aims
the public of circular economy city plans and were to reduce waste, stimulate the sharing
strategies, such as Toronto.61 Cities have also economy, and improve the collection, recapture,
developed bespoke websites for circular economy and reuse of valuable resources.

PAGE • 15
SHARING INFORMATION ON LOCAL SERVICES DEVELOPING PROJECTS THAT CAN INSPIRE AND
AND NEEDS TO SUPPORT CIRCULAR ECONOMY SHOWCASE THE POTENTIAL OF A CIRCULAR
PRACTICES ECONOMY
City governments are getting involved in sharing Setting up exemplar projects in strategic places in
information on local sharing, reusing, and repair the city can be an inspiring way to demonstrate
services in the city. New York City has created what is practically possible and demonstrate
the DonateNYC website, connecting businesses, the opportunities that circular economy can
schools, university campuses, and non profit bring to a city. In advance of Aarhus’ European
organisations looking to donate and receive City of Culture year, 2017, the city contributed
donated goods.73 As part of Make Fashion Circular, to the development of Dome of Visions 3.0,
New York City, fashion brands, collectors, and an experimental modular building that could
recyclers, have joined forces to engage residents to showcase new material consumption and
encourage them to return their unwanted clothes construction techniques.78 This temporary dome
through various routes, instead of throwing them was used to host conferences and community
away. The “wearnext” campaign shares an online debates on cities and buildings of the future.79
map created by the City of New York that guides Guided tours and open days at Venlo’s City Hall
people to more than 1,000 locations across the showcase the opportunities that cradle-to-cradle
city where they can take clothes they no longer (C2C) design and circular public procurement
wear.74 In Gothenburg, the local government has can achieve (see Public procurement). Other C2C
co-launched a digital Smart Map that informs projects within the city can be explored via bicycle
residents of where they can rent, share, borrow, tours with an accompanying information app.80
give, and exchange.75 The initiative is a civic-public In the Hague81 and Copenhagen,82 city recycling
partnership that through the reuse of materials centres have been designed using circular
also works to build a local community and facilitate economy principles to showcase the potential
urban commons and access over ownership. In of material reuse, and support learning about
Vienna, the city has raised the profile of local recycling and repair.
high-quality repair services by helping to establish
and run a digital network.76 In Kirklees, the city
council helped establish an online platform for the
sharing of space, services, and skills - benefiting
from a reduction in waste and an increase in local
economic activity and community engagement.77
These sorts of activities not only raise awareness
but also build local capacity around reuse and
exchange opportunities and establish community
capacity for sharing by helping match supply and
demand virtually, while optimising material flows
(see Capacity building).

PAGE • 16
N
GE ME
GA
N
C A PAC I T Y
BUILDING
Capacity building refers to the training and advisory support
city governments can provide to individuals, companies, and
organisations. Cities can work in partnership with local actors
to develop practical training and business capacity building
programmes to help mainstream circular economy understanding
and practices within society.
Supporting, developing, and building capacity RUNNING CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOPS
around circular economy opportunities is key to AND DEVELOPING GUIDES
shifting systems. City governments can work with To support the implementation of Toronto’s
businesses, the community, and individuals to circular economy procurement plan, the city,
build capacity. Workshops, training programmes, together with the state, is setting up sector-
and skills development are important tools. specific workshops that provide city officials,
City governments can also develop incubator vendors, and suppliers information on circular
programmes and material exchange platforms procurement and how they can be delivered in
that give businesses and individuals the ability practice.85 In New York City, the local government
to engage in and realise circular economy has developed the Zero Waste Design Guidelines,
opportunities. Such capacity building in collaboration with leading experts, to inform
programmes can be underpinned by financial architects, planners, and developers on how
support (see Financial support). to design-out waste in various sectors and
applications.86 Building capacity within government
City governments are building capacity in a variety
can be as important as building capacity
of ways. Initiatives to build individual, community,
externally. In Amersfoort, the local government
and business capacity to help drive circular
offered workshops for city officials on the circular
economy activities include:
economy and the steps they can take to enable
change.87
STIMULATING SKILL DEVELOPMENT
City governments in Brazil, such as Belo Horizonte,
SUPPORTING PHYSICAL COMMUNITY
have worked in partnership with the national
INNOVATION AND REPAIR HUBS
Computers for Inclusion programme, to actively
By funding and convening stakeholders working on
support and provide training to young people
the circular economy, city governments can help to
regarding computer refurbishment, repair,
create community hubs that can build skills among
and reuse. The initiative supports three policy
local businesses and residents in innovation, repair,
objectives around reducing electrical waste,
and reuse (see Financial support, and Convening
providing skills development, and improving digital
and partnering). Halle2 in Munich is a municipality
inclusion. Curitiba has a similar programme.83
initiative that is both a reuse lab and a second-
Within Brussels’ Be Circular initiative, the city
hand store where different groups of society come
supports skills development programmes
together to share knowledge, innovate, and sell
that include various training modules in the
their recycled, repaired, reused, and upcycled
construction sectors.84
products.88 The city of Charlotte is similarly

PAGE • 17
committed to creating a community and local their ideas with the potential of receiving project
business hub, called the Innovation Barn,89 while funding and value-in-kind support.
London has given funds to Participatory City,90 a
local resident and community hub supporting the DEVELOPING TAILORED CAPACITY BUILDING
local economy and product repair. PROGRAMMES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND
ENTREPRENEURS
DEVELOPING MATERIAL MARKETPLACES AND In line with economic development goals, several
SKILLS FOR NEW MATERIAL APPLICATIONS city governments have focused on supporting the
City governments can develop initiatives that development of circular economy opportunities
support cross-sector material exchanges and among entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized
innovative circular economy solutions. The city enterprises. London’s Advance London Accelerator
of Austin has developed a Materials Marketplace programme offers bespoke circular economy
that creates a market for businesses to sell used advice to qualifying small and medium-sized
and unneeded materials to businesses who can enterprises. The programme offers skills training
use them as new input materials.91 Putting in place and mentorship, and connects them to appropriate
a materials marketplace also sparked the idea to circular economy finance opportunities.94 In Paris,
build local entrepreneur capacity by developing Paris&Co, offers a circular economy business
the [Re]verse Pitch Competition.92 Every year advice programme to stimulate the transition to
a new set of participants is challenged to find and scaling of circular economy business models
innovative, scalable, and profitable reuse solutions among local innovators and enterprises.95
for the residual waste generated by companies
ranging from grape skins, to polyester napkins, and
office chairs.93 Contestants are offered mentoring
and guidance as well as the opportunity to pitch

PAGE • 18
T
EN
M
MA N AG E
N
A
URB
URBAN
PLANNING
Urban planning refers to the physical shaping and development
of a city. It assesses physical, social, and environmental factors
and determines the allocation, development and usage of urban
structures such as buildings, infrastructure, and parks. Urban
planning has a powerful impact on how people and goods move
around a city and can have a strong impact on whether materials,
products, and nutrients can be re-captured and kept in use. It can
also create long-term housing, mobility, and behavioural lock-ins. It is
therefore invaluable to include circular economy principles in urban
planning decision making.
With populations growing, cities are expanding, opportunity to create new value and thriving,
areas are being redeveloped, and new cities liveable, and resilient cities.
are being built. The UN expects there to be
Cities are using urban planning in a variety of ways
43 megacities by 2050.96 Urban planning is
to help deliver circular economy transformations:
predominantly a local task.97 Decisions made
in urban planning contribute significantly to
URBAN PLANNING FOR COMPACT CITY
how materials, products, and nutrients flow
DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO
between people and sites in the city. They can
SERVICES AND CIRCULATION
also influence how people work and travel, and
Stimulating compact city development to create
how organisations operate. According to the
high-density, mixed-use, and transit-oriented
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
development can help improve access to services,
Development, (OECD), “better integrating the
support agglomeration economies,100 reduce
governance of transport and the governance
resource and energy demands, and improve
of spatial planning - which are, respectively,
the provision of utility and infrastructure.
main fields of work for 70% and 60% of OECD
Johannesburg’s Integrated Development Plan
metropolitan governance bodies - can contribute
2040, developed with broad consultation,
significantly to higher growth and well-being”. 98
collaboration, and public participation, is
Urban planning has a key role to play in unlocking designed to strengthen the built environment
circular economy opportunities in the various and mobility systems of the city for improved
interlinked urban systems. It can help create a flow and productivity. It includes concepts of
regenerative system in which the flow of people, land use densification and diversification; mixed-
products, and materials is facilitated while core use residential development; and integrates
needs around housing, mobility, and access to sub-urban areas.101 Through the plan, residents
goods and services are met. Factors such as size, would experience reduced commuting times,
configuration, density, and compactness each and better access to services within a city that is
play a role.99 Urban systems that minimise waste, clean, green, and regenerative. In Guangzhou, the
stimulate the circulation of valuable resources, neighbourhood of Liuyun Xiaoqu was designed for
and make productive use of city assets have the mixed-use, meaning the neighbourhood provides

PAGE • 19
a mix of residential and commercial uses while MOBILITY PLANNING FOR LOWER EMISSION AND
offering improved accessibility to a variety of BETTER-CONNECTED CITIES
amenities.102 Benefits of this type of urban planning Urban mobility plans can design public transit
have also been illustrated in London Ontario, where systems that help to lower carbon emissions as
a study estimated that shifting towards a compact, well as improve the movement of people and
mixed-use urban structure could provide CAD 1 to goods in cities. The focus is often on improving
4 billion of annual savings in capital and operating both the quality of life of residents and stimulating
expenditure as well as greater fuel efficiency, less economic development. Urban transportation
commuting, reduced pollution, and increased plan, Reinvent Montreal, supports the city’s Master
access to services.103 Plan, and emphasises the need for alternative
forms of transport to automobiles. The plan was
SITE PLANNING FOR CIRCULAR MATERIAL USE designed to put greater emphasis on walking,
AND NUTRIENT FLOWS cycling, and public transit to create a healthier
Integrated urban planning that supports circular and better-connected city. Some of the outcomes
economy principles can also be applied to local have included a bicycle renting system, introducing
urban neighbourhood sites, and industrial and dedicated parking for car shares, increasing the
business parks. In Venlo, the construction of a new bicycle network to 800 km, and reserving central
town hall site was based on cradle-to-cradle (C2C) lanes for public transit among other elements.107
principles to eliminate the concept of waste from In Barcelona, the city government has introduced
the build and to consider the interactions with the a new mobility plan based upon creating
local area.104 In Haarlemmermeer, C2C principles superblocks in the urban spatial plan. Working
were used in the master planning and development from the existing urban grid system, superblocks
of Park 20/20, a mixed-use business park have been formed around nine existing blocks
development, to integrate “access and mobility, around which traffic flows and the internal roads
connectivity, passive design, and integrated energy, open up to the community, facilitating greater
water and waste management systems”.105 Spaces local exchange and greening. The ultimate aim is
are designed to be flexible and adaptable offering to reduce traffic by 21% while improving air quality,
a variety of services. Materials are designed to be freeing up 60% of streets from vehicles, and
reusable and recyclable. Integrated landscaping enabling foot, bike, and public transport.108 Cities
strategies support the biocycle and ecology of the can also make use of agglomeration economies
site while building orientations support the use of in urban planning to generate benefits around
solar and wind energy. Integrated energy, water, resource efficiency and productivity (see Mobility
and waste management systems also increase Factsheets). A study by Deloitte estimated that in
the capacity and flexibility in the overall site Sydney, relocating certain industrial activity in the
system. Within London, the Mayoral Development Southern Industrial Area (SIA) and developing the
Corporation for the regeneration of Old Oak and SIA into a mixed-use area could create regional
Park Royal proposed in its draft Local Plan a set freight efficiencies of up to AUD 6.5 million a year.
of design standards built on circular economy This benefit comes from more productive vehicles
principles.106 It suggests that 640 hectares of urban and bringing supply chains close together.109
space is developed with a view to minimising waste
generation on the site once inhabited, designing
spaces to be adaptable to changing uses, and
enabling materials to be optimally circulated.

PAGE • 20
T
EN
M
MA N AG E
N
A
URB
ASSET
MANAGEMENT
Asset management refers to the management of city-owned physical
assets. Physical assets can include land, buildings, roads and bridges,
water and sewage systems, amongst other items. Asset management
plays an essential role in evaluating the life cycle110 costs of city-
owned assets to develop cost-effective strategies that deliver long-
term quality service. The use of circular economy principles can help
to unlock opportunities ranging from cost-savings to maximising
resource value, use, and circulation.
City governments can own large portfolios of capital investment can also be reduced by using
assets, with infrastructure111 often the largest recovered material in construction. Tapping into
asset managed.112 According to the OECD, “in such opportunities requires closely aligning with
EU countries around 70% of public investment other policy areas.
is spent on maintenance costs associated with
The field of asset management brings together
past infrastructure investments”.113,114 However,
urban planning, finance, engineering, and
some cities struggle or have insufficient funds
operations to maximise benefits, minimise risk, and
to maintain and replace their assets. This can
provide the required levels of service to residents.117
lead to the deterioration of assets. At the same
In particular, adequate practices in public
time a large proportion of city-owned assets are
procurement and funding can support a circular
underutilised. This can leave revenue generating
approach to the management of assets (see Public
opportunities untapped as well as lead to the
procurement). It is by working together that
premature deterioration of an asset due to lack of
these policy levers can unlock circular economy
upkeep, which can cost the city money. According
opportunities in the management of assets.
to the 2006 UK National Audit Office report,
making more productive use of city-owned Applications of a circular economy approach in
assets, such as municipal buildings, can lead asset management include:
to estimated savings of GBP 1.5 to 2 billion per
year.115 USING DATA TO IDENTIFY CIRCULAR ECONOMY
OPPORTUNITIES
A circular economy approach to asset
A comprehensive asset database within local
management can help alleviate a number of these
government, such as that developed by the city
challenges. It can help increase the effective
of Winnipeg118, can help provide a clearer picture
utilisation of existing assets and increase resource
of the share and type of city assets that are
and cost savings during an asset’s management.
underutilised, underperforming, and deteriorating
Operational costs can, for example, be reduced
due to poor maintenance, design or end of use.119
by renovating assets to be energy efficient or
Knowledge of this sort can lead to improved use
by making use of predictive maintenance.116
and maintenance of assets. Additional datasets,
Assets designed for durability and robustness
such as data from asset material passports
can lead to minimal maintenance requirements.
for buildings and infrastructure, can build an
Assets designed for modularity and repair can
understanding of how the resources in assets are
facilitate maintenance such that the per unit
being managed and maintained.120 Developing
cost of repair is reduced. These types of designs
such datasets and circular economy performance
increase the lifetime of an asset and can reduce
indicators can help build an understanding of the
net capital investment requirements. Upfront
financial, social, and environmental benefits that

PAGE • 21
circular economy measures in asset management assets are procured based on circular economy
can create, such as operational and capital cost criteria. In Buenos Aires, resource efficiency and
savings, improved use, resource benefits, and lower carbon emissions were achieved by renewing
reduced carbon emissions (see Roadmaps and public lighting systems with LED technology, in line
strategies). Data sets on mobility flows can also with circular economy principles. Through a public-
reduce waste and pollution and improve the use of private partnership, Philips delivered a lighting
city assets. In London, the public transport agency, asset management system to the city that enabled
Transport for London (TfL) collects anonymised energy savings of 50%, a fivefold increase in
data on how people and public vehicles move lighting assets’ lifetime, reduced maintenance costs,
around the city.121 With such data, TfL can optimise and improved visibility and security.129 To enable
public transport flows and reduce congestion and optimal operation, a telecommunication platform
emissions in the city. By making such data open was created to monitor the light points as well as to
access, TfL has also been able to generate an program potential replacements and predict future
estimated GBP 130 million a year in benefits122 for maintenance tasks. In the United Kingdom, the M25
the city and TfL users.123 In addition, data on the motorway was widened while displaced materials
location of physical assets, even ones that are not were reused and recycled and waste minimised.
city-owned, can also form an evidence base to By including requirements to design out waste and
support wider government policies. Google Project consider future material use in the tender process,
Sunroof created a tool to calculate the share of the selected project saved more than GBP 15 million
roofs within cities that would be viable for solar and sent zero waste to landfill.130 Though the
panel installations. Cities such as Denver are using project is at the national level, it shows what can be
such insights to help to inform city policies that can achieved through asset management.
incentivise the take up of solar energy.124
MANAGING CITY-OWNED LAND ASSETS FOR
MAKING MORE PRODUCTIVE USE OF CITY- PRODUCTIVE USE
OWNED ASSETS Circular economy opportunities and benefits also
The sharing, leasing and renting of city-owned relate to the management of city-owned land
assets can ensure that assets are never left unused, assets. Much of the circular potential of a plot of
eliminating ‘wasted space’ in cities. In Seoul, the land is influenced by urban planning (see Urban
local government has opened up the basement of planning). Infrastructure and zoning plans create
the city hall to the public for it be used as a meeting opportunities for city-owned land to be managed
area and for holding events. The shared public more productively while saving resources. In
facility programme has also been expanded to Amsterdam, the city is facilitating and supporting
include district offices, community centres, schools, the development of Buiksloterham into a circular
and religious facilities.125 In other cases, no longer district. Underutilised city-owned land is being
needed transport stock can be repurposed. In leased for construction projects on the basis of
London, former underground trains are repurposed circular economy and sustainability criteria (see
for reuse on main line railways.126 The repurposed Public procurement).131 The build for the circular
trains are made to be more fuel efficient, easier to district will address themes around intelligent use
maintain, and benefit from reduced capital costs of materials, energy, climate resilience, mobility, and
due to the reuse of major components.127 City the development of new models for production,
governments can also take measures to ensure consumption, distribution, and logistics.
city assets are productively used. In San Francisco,
the Municipal Transportation Agency collaborated USING CITY-OWNED ASSETS TO FACILITATE
with academia and the private sector to deliver THE EXCHANGE OF MATERIALS BETWEEN
SFpark, a project that uses dynamic pricing for CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, AND
parking to encourage drivers to park in underused DECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
areas and garages, reducing demand in overused Asset management can help identify strategic
areas.128 Meter and garage pricing are adjusted locations in a city that can support transport
periodically to match demand, making the search and material exchanges between renovation
for parking spaces easier and faster. The benefits and construction projects taking place in the
include optimised use of existing parking resources, city. Mapping project location and construction
reduced congestion and emissions. stages can aid the process by providing insights
on resource demand, usage, and disposal needs
IDENTIFYING LONG TERM RESOURCE SAVING between different construction projects in the
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF city. London’s Infrastructure Mapping Application
CITY-OWNED ASSETS provides an overview of current and future
A city has to continuously maintain, renovate, and infrastructure development projects and their
replace their building stock and infrastructure. For locations in the city.132 Though the application is not
asset managers, a key responsibility is to ensure currently used for a circular economy purpose, such
cost effectiveness and low operation costs. A information could be used to facilitate the reuse and
circular economy approach can enable this by exchange of materials between urban construction
ensuring resource savings. Renovations and asset projects.133 In Vancouver, the city gained funding
replacements could, for example, consider designs for the creation of its Deconstruction Hub where
that are energy efficient, modular, repairable and salvaged materials from disassembled buildings can
adaptable, durable or robust, and made with either be restored, repurposed, or resold for use.134
secondary materials. Though some designs may Having several of these hubs in strategic locations
require a higher capital investment, they can be could help facilitate the exchange and reuse of
countered by having low operation costs over the materials, thus adapting an industrial symbiosis
long term. Other designs can increase the lifespan approach at city level.
of an asset, postponing replacement costs. Working
together with finance and public procurement
departments is therefore essential to ensure that

PAGE • 22
T
EN
M
MA N AG E
N
A
URB
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
Public procurement is the purchase of goods and services by the
public sector. It can range from the purchase of everyday office
goods to services to large-scale urban infrastructure projects.
Integrating circular economy criteria within public procurement
policies and practices can stimulate the circular design, provision,
management, and servicing of goods.
City governments have a large purchasing power USING CIRCULAR ECONOMY CRITERIA IN THE
which gives them the ability to create demand PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OF PRODUCTS
and shift the market to new ways of providing City governments can set criteria in their
goods and services, from the individual product procurement tendering processes that challenge
level to the system level.135 In Europe, public the market to develop innovative product solutions
procurement makes up 14% of GDP (EUR 2 trillion - from increasing the durability of a product to
annually), while in developing countries it is ensuring that the materials used are non-harmful,
around 30%.136 In Paris, city public procurement repairable, and reusable. In San Francisco, the
is worth EUR 1.6 billion.137 Public procurement city government has adopted such an approach
policies and practices can therefore play an into the procurement criteria for carpets installed
important role in developing markets and in municipal buildings and construction projects.
boosting local economies.138 The purchasing requirements, set into regulation,
include that all future publicly procured carpet
By integrating circular economy criteria into fits are cradle-to-cradle silver certified, with
public procurement policies and tenders for no polyurethane used, and with 45% recycled
goods and services, city governments can play a content.141 For the new city hall of Venlo, the city
significant role in enabling a circular economy. It
government tender process included procuring
can incentivise circular economy market innovation
high-quality furniture that would be easy to
and can stimulate the increased use, reuse, and
disassemble, repair, refurbish and reuse, and use
repair of products through service-based business
non-harmful materials.142 The tender also specified
models. To enable this, capabilities and skills in
that products had to be part of a take-back system
concepts such as total cost of ownership (TCO)
to ensure their recovery after a ten-year period.
and measures of material circularity can be built
In both these examples, working with industry
in procurement departments and teams. Public
and businesses in the development of circular
procurement policies and targets can be set at
economy procurement criteria can help to build
the national level and this can have a significant
understanding of circular economy needs, as
influence on regional and local governments.
well as market capabilities, requirements, and
For example, in the Netherlands, the national
readiness (see the example of Toronto in Capacity
government set targets in 2005 for 100%
building). The new offices of the London Waste
sustainable public procurement139 by 2010 and
and Recycling Board have also applied circular
subsequently extended the target of 100% by 2015 economy principles to the fit-out requirements
for local public authorities.140 ranging from office furniture to carpets and
Circular economy principles are fusing into public paint.143 In Ghent, the local government procured
procurement policies and practices in a number of cradle-to-cradle ‘bronze’ certified cleaning, hygiene
ways: and polishing products for all of its buildings and
facilities, and packaging was made to be recyclable
and contained recycled materials.144

PAGE • 23
USING CIRCULAR ECONOMY PUBLIC economy building developments.149 The city

PROCUREMENT CRITERIA IN THE RENOVATION developed such a circular land tender process in
AND MAINTENANCE OF CITY-OWNED AND the Zuidas area.150 A multifunctional mixed-use
OPERATED BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE building will be designed to include a material
With infrastructure being one of the largest passport, reclaimed resources, and design for
assets managed by city governments, circular disassembly, alongside the highest BREEAM
economy procurement can play a significant role in sustainability standard.151 Collectively these features
stimulating the use of circular economy principles can support the value appreciation of the city
in the renovation of city-owned assets (see Asset asset.
management). The city of Brummen needed to
procure an extension to their city hall, with a life- USING PUBLIC PROCUREMENT TO ENCOURAGE
span of 20 years, that kept their original historic THE USE OF CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS
building intact but also allowed them the flexibility Rather than procuring a product, city governments
to adapt the site to future requirements.145 The can also procure the ‘use’ of a product. This can
winning proposal offered the city a 20-year service incentivise the vendor to lengthen the lifespan
contract for a modular extension that could also of a product and reuse it multiple times. Using
pilot ‘building as material banks’ practices.146 The procurement in this way can mean procuring
extension was designed for disassembly and via pay-per-use, take-back, and leasing models.
reuse, and made use of high-quality, renewable, These can result in operational cost savings for
and prefabricated materials. At the end of the city governments, a reduction in waste, and can
contract, building components can be returned further develop the market for products that are
to their suppliers. In Eindhoven, circular public designed for performance, repair, and material
procurement is being piloted in the construction recapture.152 The city of Zurich is among several
and renovation of schools.147 In Apeldoorn, it is to lease printing equipment rather than buying
being applied to the renovation of roads in the it outright, thus only paying per page printed
neighbourhood of De Parken with the goal of and incentivising better printer performance
reusing materials and conducting the renovation and energy use.153 The city of Herning made use
with minimal waste.148 of a service-based model to lease uniforms for
their operations department.154 The uniforms
USING PUBLIC PROCUREMENT TO STIMULATE were designed for longevity, repairability, reuse,
CIRCULAR ECONOMY BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS and recycling. When it comes to large-scale
ON CITY-OWNED LAND construction projects, city governments can make
City governments can use their urban management use of public-private partnership performance
policy levers (see Urban planning, Asset frameworks or Design-Build-Finance-Operate
management, and Public procurement) to develop (DBFO) procurement models155 to help mitigate
city-owned land based on circular economy and share risk.156 Including circular procurement
principles. This is particularly relevant in countries criteria, or outcomes, as early as possible allows
where most of the land is owned by the local for a whole-lifecycle approach to infrastructure
government, such as in the Netherlands. The extent projects would help to deliver cost efficiencies
to which this is possible is largely determined as well as keeping assets and materials at their
by urban planning - zoning, infrastructure, and highest value for longer.157 DBFO service business
development plans largely influence where city- models can lend themselves well to managing
owned land is available for issuing and for what large-scale circular economy construction projects
category of development (see Urban planning). as they facilitate the monitoring of an asset from
Much of a plot’s circular economy potential is inception to end of use and thereby capture long-
therefore determined before the land is issued. term financial and environmental values that are
When made possible in the urban plans, city being created during use.
governments can determine whether to sell or
lease city-owned land for a circular economy
objective (see Asset management). To support
such a process, Amsterdam has developed its
Roadmap for Circular Land Tendering that includes
32 performance-based indicators for circular

PAGE • 24
ES
IV
T
IC INCEN
M
O
N
E CO
FINANCIAL
SUPPORT
Financial support refers to grants, subsidies, direct and indirect
investments, and public-private partnerships through which city
governments can enable city development towards a circular
economy. The funds may draw on existing budgets and revenues or
be raised in addition and specifically to support circular economy
initiatives.
The World Bank estimates that more than 80% DIRECT FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND
of GDP is generated in cities and 57% of public DEVELOPMENT
investment is at the regional or local level, though Cities can fund research development to help
this varies from country to country, depending further understanding of urban circular economy
on the degree and share of power that cities opportunities. The city of Amsterdam established a
are given.158 For example, sub-national public ten-year partnership with the Amsterdam Institute
investment in Chile is 13% compared to 88% for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions to help
in Canada.159 Within city governments, asset further the development of knowledge around
management, public procurement, and capacity the circular economy.162 In Brussels, the public
building make use of financial support to enable agency INNOVIRIS funded the Brussels Circular
and support physical urban development, market Economy Transition (BRUCETRA) research project.
development, and business/organisational The project aims to analyse the economic and
growth. environmental potential of the waste streams for
a transition towards a circular economy model
Financial support by city governments can
of material management in the Brussels Capital
encourage circular economy innovations in
Region.163
products and services. This can be especially
relevant for research, and business innovation, as CO-FINANCING TO SUPPORT CIRCULAR
well as early-stage and large high-risk projects that ECONOMY INCUBATOR AND INVESTMENT
need additional financial support. Public financial PROGRAMMES
support can be provided via direct provision, Incubator and co-investment programmes can
public procurement mechanisms, co-financing support the development of innovative circular
schemes, investment funds, and municipally- economy business propositions. The Advance
owned corporations.160 To enable infrastructure London programme provides advisory support
development, public-private partnership financing for qualifying small and medium-sized enterprises
models can be important, both with the private (see Capacity building).164 It is complemented by
sector and with other tiers of government, and an investment programme that includes various
at times in conjunction with each other.161 These funds of which the London Waste and Recycling
can play an instrumental role in enabling circular Board (LWARB) and the Greater London Authority
economy development in cities. are co-investors.165 Another example is Phoenix’s
Examples of city governments making use of Resource Innovation and Solutions Network (RISN)
financial support to stimulate circular economy incubator, developed in partnership with Arizona
initiatives and projects include: State University.166 Both have funded the incubator
together, along with a grant from the US Economic
Development Administration.167 The programme

PAGE • 25
accelerates and scales the development of early- urban development and regeneration in cities.
stage ventures that focus on waste diversion and In London, the city co-funded the Tate Modern’s
improvements in processing. Some also focus on extension via the London Energy Efficiency
the utilisation of waste as a raw material for new Fund, a subset of the JESSICA London Green
products or energy. Such initiatives are designed to Fund, made up of funding from the European
support the city’s goal of diverting 40% of waste Regional Development Fund, London Development
landfilled in the city by 2020 and growing the local Agency, and London Waste and Recycling
circular economy.168 Board .175 The extension was designed for energy
efficiency, using 54% less energy and generating
CO-FINANCING TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT 44% less carbon than regulations demanded.176
OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY RELATED PROJECTS The design included natural air circulation,
Co-financing can be used to stimulate innovations daylight, and the use of building materials that
that meet public commitments such as zero waste can store heat naturally.177 In the United States,
and climate commitments. Examples include co- the Closed Loop Fund, a consortium of major
financed low-carbon development and retrofit corporations that have created a USD 100 million
projects in Amsterdam,169 and co-funded public fund, provides municipalities with zero-interest
bicycle sharing systems in Copenhagen.170 To loans for the development of infrastructure for
counter financial constraints and manage risk, co- comprehensive recycling programmes. Since
financing has been encouraged in Hamburg where the Closed Loop Fund was launched in 2014,
the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank, nearly USD 20 million has been invested in nine
an institution owned by the city, provides financial projects, unlocking over USD 50 million in co-
support to businesses that invest in resource investment from municipalities, as well as banks
efficient measures.171 and impact investors.178 The city of Memphis has
benefitted from this fund and invested in 80,000
PUBLIC-PRIVATE INVESTMENT FUNDS FOR single stream recycling carts for households.
PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR HIGHER Within the first year of the investment the city
RISK CIRCULAR ECONOMY PROJECTS IN CITIES managed to increase recycling rates by 61%.179
Public-private partnerships and ventures are To enable European cities to take risks and test
collaborative investment schemes often used to innovative solutions to urban challenges, the
share, reduce, and mitigate associated risks of Urban Innovation Action Funds, an initiative of
impactful and costly projects. Investment funds, the EU, was created.180 The fund co-finances 80%
with funding from the public and/or the private of a city’s project. The city of Lappeenranta, in
sector, can provide financial support to enable, partnership with stakeholders, has made use of
accelerate, and enhance urban projects. Urban the fund to establish the Urban Infra Revolution
sustainable investment funds, such as JESSICA, Project. The project aims at testing and adapting
resulted from a partnership between the Council circular economy and low-carbon technologies and
of European Development Bank (CEDB) and the business models that can help revolutionise the
European Investment Fund, the latter having urban construction engineering sector.181 Circular
provided EUR 2.1 billion in co-investment in circular economy measures include stimulating recycling,
economy projects since 2015.172 The EU JESSICA using residual and recycled waste as raw materials,
Urban Development Funds173 contain financial and using local and alternative low-carbon emitting
contributions from EU member states, cities, and materials in construction. The goal is to reduce CO2
other public and/or private sources.174 These are emissions by 80% by 2030, compared to the 2007
then invested in the form of equity, loans, and level, and eliminating waste by 2050.
guarantees for projects that support sustainable

PAGE • 26
ES
IV
T
IC INCEN
M
O
N
E CO
FISCAL
MEASURES
Fiscal measures raise revenue, be it in the form of taxes, charges,
fees or fines. To enable a shift in city practices towards a circular
economy, this tool can be used to incentivise or discourage certain
behaviours and market developments.
Fiscal measures have the power to incentivise modularised components can offer. The city
behaviour change among businesses and offers a number of schemes such as VAT refunds
residents. Having cities and higher tiers of to manufacturers of prefabricated modularised
government work together in the development components alongside cost reimbursements
and implementation of fiscal measures that for the use of prefabricated walls, subsidies for
provide enabling conditions for a circular corporates investing in research and development,
economy can prove to be particularly effective. and reductions in quality assurance deposits for
Areas can include tax benefits for circular prefabricated building construction projects.187
economy products or businesses, tax reductions Milan has introduced a 20% discount on waste
on the use of recycled materials, tax increases on tax for businesses that donate their food waste to
undesirable waste streams, and tax reductions for charities.188 In combination with other measures,
activities involved in the share, repair, and recycle such as city-to-city knowledge exchange,
business.182 high citizen participation (see Convening and
partnering), and door-to-door collections, Milan
Examples of city governments taking fiscal
has already managed to significantly exceed the
measures to stimulate circular activity include:
EU target of 50% recycling rate for organic waste
by 2020.189
TAX BREAKS TO STIMULATE CIRCULAR
ECONOMY
CHARGES AND TARIFFS TO INCENTIVISE
Tax rebates and discounts, provided by local
BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
governments and consistent with policies from
City governments are also making use of charges
higher-tier governments, can play a strong role
and discounts to incentivise behavioural change. In
in incentivising and establishing a conducive
2010, Washington, D.C. placed a USD 0.05 charge
environment for circular economy products,
on plastic and paper single-use bags to reduce bag
businesses, and projects. In Shanghai, the city
litter.190 This led to a 60% drop in the use of single-
granted VAT reductions to a chemical recycling
use bags in the city. To tackle traffic congestion,
company involved in the city’s circular economy
Singapore introduced a pay-as-you-use road
and cleaner production project.183 To stimulate the
pricing system.191 An in-vehicle-unit sets a flexible
construction and purchasing of green buildings in
rate depending on vehicle type, road driven, traffic
the city, Cleveland184 and Cincinnati185 have offered
levels, and time of day. The system has managed
100% tax abatements for 10-15 years for new
to encourage the use of public transport during
construction and existing building retrofits that
peak hours, reduced traffic, and cut travel times in
are LEED certified.186 The aim is for such energy-
the city. This has led to lower carbon emissions, in
and resource-efficient building redevelopment
line with circular economy principles. Congestion
projects to help stimulate the local economy while
charges have also emerged in other cities including
contributing to a healthier and more resilient
Athens, London, Milan, Oslo and Stockholm.192 In
environment. The city of Shandong has focused on
Cremona, the city government introduced waste
stimulating the opportunities that prefabricated
collection fees on residents that vary according

PAGE • 27
to the number of bags thrown away and are FINES TO DISCOURAGE THE UNDER-USE
currently testing the introduction of tariffs on OF ASSETS OR TO DISCOURAGE HARMFUL,
waste that cannot be recycled.193 Similarly, in San POLLUTING ACTIVITIES
Francisco, businesses pay a fee respective to the In Spain, the Catalan government implemented
volume of waste discarded.194 Discounts are given a law that allowed Barcelona and more than 100
when separate sorting collection bins are used. In municipalities to fine banks with properties on
Auckland, a pay-as-you-throw charging system their books that have been empty for more than
was introduced, as well as a fee for kerbside waste two years.196 The aim is to increase the utilisation
that varies by amount and type of waste produced. of space and the availability of housing. In Turin,
In combination with other measures, the city the local government has used penalties to help
managed to reduce in-house waste generation by incentivise businesses that do not sort their waste
30% by 2014.195 effectively. Penalties are, for example, given to
businesses that abandon waste or throw away
recyclable and compostable items.197

PAGE • 28
N
L AT I O
U
EG
R
L E G I S L AT I O N A N D
R E G U L AT I O N
Legislation and regulation refers to bylaws, standards, rules,
and requirements that city governments can set. Cities can set
regulations that can guide the development of circular economy
opportunities and can reinforce and underpin all other policy levers.
Working with other tiers of government to develop and inform
legislation and regulation is also key.
Legislation and regulation has the power to set SHAPING BYLAWS THAT STIMULATE CIRCULAR
in motion bylaws198, standards, requirements, ECONOMY PRACTICES IN THE CITY
and bans that promote circular practices. To create enabling and regulated conditions for
Legislating and regulating is an impactful policy circular economy practices in the city, several cities
lever that is often used in conjunction with have been adapting and developing local bylaws.
other policy levers such as public procurement, In New York City, a rule has been set to expand
urban planning, and fiscal measures. The the organic waste treatment requirements for
majority of regulatory capacity typically resides large commercial food retailers and food service
with national governments. For example, in establishments with the aim of increasing the
OECD metropolitan areas199, less than 25% of amount of organic waste diverted from landfill that
metropolitan governance bodies can impose can be put into beneficial use.202 In Suzhou, the
binding regulations.200 Nevertheless, city municipality mandated restaurants to send their
governments can work with national governments organic waste to Jiangsu Clean Environmental
to help shape regulation and address regulatory Technology Co. for treatment, in exchange for
barriers (see Convening and partnering). annually renewed operation certificates. This
intervention secured a high quality and quantity of
To generate circular economy opportunities in
feedstock for the plant.203 Other city governments
cities, regulations can, among other things, be
have introduced regulation to enable circular
developed to promote the reuse and recovery of
economy development within specific sectors
resources, limit the creation and disposal of waste,
in their city. In the building sector for example,
and facilitate sharing platforms.201 Other cases
circularity can be incorporated into zoning plans,
require clearer rules on how to best stimulate
building standards, building codes, and land
the safe reuse of waste streams including sludge,
tenders. Such developments can help shape the
reclaimed water, and recycled waste. On the other
circular redevelopment of specific areas of the city
hand, some circular economy opportunities will
(see Urban planning, and Public procurement).
require the removal of regulations that currently
In California, the City of Palm Desert has issued
lock-in linear practices and inhibit circular economy
an ordinance stating a building permit can only
innovations. be given if a Waste Management Plan has been
City governments can make use of legislation submitted demonstrating “maximum reuse and
and regulation to stimulate circular activities in a recycling of debris and other waste generated
variety of ways, including: during demolition, new construction, roofing,
landscape, and other construction projects”.204
In Amsterdam, the city is considering setting up

PAGE • 29
circular zones within the city where localised allowed in residential zones and multiple cars
circular economy urban developments can take cannot be parked in a single driveway.210 The city is
place with supportive regulation.205 In the mobility deciding on the legality of such services and how
sector, cities such as Vancouver are stimulating to best use regulation to manage the unintended
the car sharing economy by issuing permits and consequences that residential communities may
offering parking space for car-sharing cooperatives face such as redirected traffic and safety concerns.
such as Modo.206 To regulate the sharing economy in the transport
sector, a number of European cities have enforced
REVIEWING AND UPDATING EXISTING BYLAWS bans on ride-hailing services that fail to comply
TO MANAGE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES with existing regulations e.g. having unlicensed
Innovations and new approaches in all spheres drivers.211 Meanwhile, in cities like Baltimore212
can run the risk of unintended consequences. and New York City,213 zoning regulations have
This also applies to circular economy innovations. been amended to remove impediments for the
Cities can work with innovators to manage construction and retrofitting of green buildings.
adverse unintended consequences and regulate
as necessary. For example, while property sharing USING BANS TO PROHIBIT THE CIRCULATION
can make better use of space and generate OF GOODS AND MATERIALS THAT ARE
income, it can also have unintended impacts on PROBLEMATIC OR HARMFUL TO SOCIETY AND
local long-term rental markets. A number of cities THE ENVIRONMENT
have taken action to manage such challenges. In New York City, the city government imposed a
Amsterdam currently allows residents to rent ban on styrofoam packaging for food and drink,
out their homes for a maximum of 30 nights per since the material is not profitably recyclable and
year. Berlin is substituting the cap on short-term creates costly urban litter.214 In other cases, bans
rents with the requirement that owner/occupiers are enforced by higher tiers of government to
rent less than 50% of the area of the home, and aid cities in preventing valuable resources going
second homes can only be rented for a maximum to waste. In Scotland, a ban on the landfilling of
of 90 days a year; beyond these limits a permit is biodegradable municipal waste will be put into
required.207 Likewise, Paris has introduced a cap effect from January 2021, with one of the aims
on short-term rents and hosts are required to be being to stimulate the recovery and recycling of
registered so that compliance can be monitored.208 food waste in cities.215 Like several other cities,
In the mobility sector, similar measures have Amsterdam has increasingly been introducing
been taken to manage congestion and parking. stricter regulations with respect to environmental
Governments are also working to take account urban zones.216 Polluting vehicles such as diesel
of new employment models. In New York City, lorries, delivery vans, buses, and taxis are currently
a cap on the number of for-hire vehicles, such banned from entering low emission zones. Cities
as Uber and Lyft, has been issued along with a such as Oslo, Paris, Athens, and Madrid have
new license requirement and a minimum wage scheduled a ban on diesel vehicles to be enforced
for drivers.209 In Toronto, parking sharing apps in the coming years in order to support efforts to
such as Rover and Parking Cupid allow residents improve urban air quality.217
to rent their garages and driveways as potential
parking spots, but these can run into conflict with
zoning bylaws where commercial activity is not

PAGE • 30
ENDNOTES
CITIES ARE CENTRES FOR CHANGE
22
Envision Charlotte and City of Charlotte, Circular Charlotte:
towards a zero waste and inclusive city (2018)
1
Project Syndicate, Local solutions for global problems
(5th June 2018)
23
European Commission, Implementation of the Circular
Economy Action Plan
2
Janez Potočnik, International Resource Panel, presentation at
Circular Economy Hotspot Scotland (October 2018)
24
UN Environment, Urban metabolism for resource-efficient
cities: from theory to implementation (2017)
3
Material Economics, The circular economy – a powerful force
for climate mitigation (2018)
25
Vancouver Economic Commission, Towards the circular
economy: identifying the local and national government
policies for developing a circular economy for the fashion
URBAN POLICY LEVERS FOR CIRCULAR and textiles sector in Vancouver, Canada (2015)
ECONOMY TRANSITIONS
26
DRIFT, Transitie-agenda biobased haven Rotterdam (2018)
4
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Delivering the circular economy:
a toolkit for policymakers (2015) 27
be circular be.brussels, Brussels regional program for a circular
economy 2016–2020 (BRPCE) (2016)
5
LSE Cities, in partnership with UN Habitat and United Cities
and Local Governments, explored how governance structures 28
Mairie de Paris, Paris circular economy plan (2017)
of cities around the world compare and how powers are
distributed. A database was built to illustrate critical urban
29
Urban Agenda for the EU, Circular Economy Action Plan (2018)
governance dynamics cutting across the differences in urban 30
London Waste and Recycling Board, Circular economy route
settlement patterns, urban governance geographies, and
map (2017)
governance indicators. The Guardian, Who runs our cities?
How governance structures around the world compare (2015); 31
Toronto, Circular economy procurement implementation plan
LSE Cities – Urban Governance, How cities are governed and framework (2018)
6
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Delivering the circular economy: 32
Mayor of London, New London plan – consultation draft –
a toolkit for policymakers (2015) Chapter 3: Design and Chapter 9: Sustainable infrastructure
(2017)
INTERLINKAGES AND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
POLICY LEVERS
33
C2C ExpoLAB, C2C opportunities in policy of (local)
government (2014)
7
C40 Cities and Arup, Powering climate action: cities as global
changemakers (2015)
34
Mairie de Paris, Paris circular economy plan (2017)
8
Brookings, Leading beyond limits: mayoral powers in the age
35
100 Resilient Cities, Rome resilience strategy (2018)
of new localism (2017) 36
City of Paris, Paris climate action plan: towards a carbon
9
C40 Cities and Arup, Powering climate action: cities as global neutral city and 100% renewable energies (2018)
changemakers (2015)
CONVENING AND PARTNERING
CULTURES AND APPROACHES THAT CAN 37
Brookings, Leading beyond limits: mayoral powers in the age
SUPPORT A CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITION of new localism (2017)
10
Ibid. 38
BLOXHUB, Copenhagen circular economy workshop (12th
September 2018)
11
European Commission, Innovating cities: making cities
inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable through innovative, 39
Sharing City Seoul, Share Hub: How it Works?
coordinated and systemic solutions for the urban environment;
What Works Scotland, What works in public service – 40
London Waste and Recycling Board, Circular London (2017)
leadership: exploring the potential (2017)
41
Innovation Deals are voluntary agreements between the EU,
12
URBANET, The SDGs go local! Why cities need to engage in innovators, and national, regional and local authorities
integrated urban development (4th October 2016); R. Webb
et al., Sustainable urban systems: co-design and framing for
42
European Commission, Identifying barriers to innovation
transformation, Ambio (February 2018) 43
Urban Agenda for the EU and European Commission, Circular
13
Eva Sørensen and Jacob Torfing, Enhancing public Economy Action Plan (2018)
innovation through collaboration, leadership and new 44
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, CE100; Ellen MacArthur
public governance in A. Nicholls, J. Simon, and M. Gabriel
Foundation, Systemic initiatives
(eds), New frontiers in social innovation research, Palgrave
Macmillan, London (2015); CITI Foundation and Living Cities, 45
C40 Cities, Around the world, C40 cities are taking bold
City accelerator – guide for embedding breakthrough climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more
innovation in local government (2015) sustainable future (23rd November 2015)
14
URBACT II, Social innovation in cities (2015); 46
Pocacito, Food waste recycling: Milan, Italy
R. Bartoletti and F. Faccioli, Public engagement, local policies,
and citizens’ participation: an Italian case study of civic 47
República Portuguesa, Leading the transition: action plan for
collaboration (2016) circular economy in Portugal: 2017–2020 (2017)
15
European Environment Agency, Urban sustainability issues – 48
Interreg Europe, CircE – European regions toward circular
what is a resource-efficient city? (2015) economy
ROADMAPS AND STRATEGIES 49

Sharing Cities Alliance
16
Mairie de Paris, Paris circular economy plan 2017–2020 (2017)
50
City of Boston, New urban mechanics
17
Ministère de la Transition écologique et solidaire, 50 measures
51
Laboratorio Para La Ciudad, Sobre El LABCDMX
for a 100% circular economy (2018) 52
Startup in residence, Startup in residence helps government
18
Wcycle address their challenges
19
Circular Change, Roadmap towards the circular economy in
53
Participatory Budgeting Project, PB map and process list
Slovenia (2016) 54
Paris Budget Participatif, Participatory budgeting in Paris: act,
20
London Waste and Recycling Board, Circular economy route reflect, grow (2017)
map (2017) 55
Paris Budget Participatif, Suivi des réalisations
21
be circular be.brussels, Brussels regional program for a circular 56
Seoul Metropolitan Government, Participatory Budget System
economy 2016–2020 (BRPCE)
(PBS)

PAGE • 31
57
City of Tomorrow Challenge URBAN PLANNING
58
Bloomberg Philanthropies and Mayors Challenge, 2018 Mayors 96
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
Challenge – the time is now 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by
2050, says UN (16th May 2018)
AWARENESS RAISING
97
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development,
59
London Waste and Recycling Board, Circular economy route The governance of land use: policy highlights (2017)
map
98
Ibid.
60
The Sustainable Business Network and Circular Economy
Accelerator, The circular economy opportunity for Auckland 99
European Environment Agency, Urban sustainability issues –
and how business can realise it (2018) what is a resource-efficient city? (2015)
61
City of Toronto, Working towards a circular economy 100
Agglomeration economies are the benefits that come when
firms and people locate near one another together in cities
62
be circular be.brussels, Bruxelles en transition vers une and industrial clusters. Cost reductions occur because
économie circulaire economic activities are located in one place. Edward L.
Glaeser, Agglomeration economics, National Bureau of
63
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Circular Glasgow Economic Research (2010)
64
Rotterdam Circulair, Initiatieven 101
Johannesburg, The City of Johannesburg: draft integrated
development plan 2018/19 review (2018); Habitat III, City of
65
Amsterdam Smart City, circular city – projects; Gemeente
Johannesburg spatial development framework 2040 (17th
Amsterdam, Amsterdam circulair
October 2016)
66
Future Peterborough 102
World Bank, Integrated planning for sustainable urban form
67
Circular Economy Week London 103
City of London, Ontario: Building a mixed-use, compact city
68
Circular City Week New York 104
Cityfoerster, Feasibility study on the development of an
69
Urban Innovative Actions, Circular economy industrial park inspired by the Cradle-to-Cradle philosophy
70
Zero Waste Europe, The story of Ljubljana: case study 5 (2018)
105
C2C-Centre, Park 20/20; Park 20/20
71
Gemeente Amsterdam, Amsterdam maakt er wat van
106
Mayor of London and Old Oak and Park Royal Development
Corporation, Local plan: second revised draft for regulation 19
72
London Waste Recycling Board, TRiFOCAL project – ‘Small (2) consultation (14th June 2018)
Change, Big Difference’, London-wide digital campaign brief
(2018)
107
De Groene Zaak, Governments going circular (2015); Ville
Montreal, 2007 transportation plan (2007)
73
City of New York – Department of Sanitation, donateNYC
108
Ajuntament de Barcelona, New urban mobility plan for 2019–
74
City of New York - Department of Sanitation, Clothing and 2024; The Guardian, Superblocks to the rescue: Barcelona’s
textile drop-off; Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Make fashion plan to give streets back to residents (17th May 2016)
circular
109
Deloitte, The benefits of mixed use in the Southern Industrial
75
Smarta Kartan; Eurocities, Gothenburg’s smart map Area (2015)
Reparatur Netzwerk, Repair Network Vienna ASSET MANAGEMENT

76
77
Comoodles 110
An asset’s management life cycle includes planning,
acquisition, operation and maintenance, and disposal. The
78
Dome of Visions, Dome 3.0
main objective for asset managers is minimising the overall life
79
MetsäWood, Dome of Visions 3.0 cost of assets. PECB, 4 key stages of asset management life
cycle (12th May 2016)
80
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, Open days of
C2C inspired City Hall Venlo
111
Infrastructure is defined as fundamental physical and
organisational structures and facilities, such as transportation
81
green deal circulair inkopen, Circular economy: the structures, communication cabling, water and energy supplies,
Municipality of The Hague (2017) and waste treatment
82
Lendager Group, Local recycling centre Nordhavn 112
Centreforcities, Delivering change: public assets – introduction
(26th November 2016)
CAPACITY BUILDING 113
In emerging economies, there is a need for investment in
83
Curitiba, Digital inclusion: computers for inclusion form 960 new economic infrastructure due to the growing pressures of
young people and focus on circular economy (29th May 2018) urbanisation, population growth, and middle-income growth.
For example, Asia Pacific needs USD 800 billion in investment
84
be circular be.brussels, Brussels Regional Program for a annually (until 2020)
Circular Economy 2016–2020 (BRPCE)
114
85
Recycling Council of Ontario, Circular economy Towards a framework for the governance of infrastructure
(2015)
86
City of New York – Sanitation, Zero waste
115
National Audit Office, Getting the best from public sector
87
Nederland Circulair!, De circulaire economie: hoe komt mijn office accommodation (2006)
gemeente daar?
116
Predictive maintenance is the ability to use data-driven
88
EuroCities, Munich creates nucleus for circular economy analytics to optimise capital equipment upkeep
89
Envision Charlotte, Circular Charlotte 117
K. Fowler, Local government land use and asset management
planning in BC: proposed sustainable service improvements
90
Participatory City, Barking and Dagenham’s creative
(2010)
warehouse workshop idea receives boost from mayor of
London’s good growth fund (7th March 2018) 118
City of Winnipeg, 2018 city asset management plan (2018)
91
Austin Materials Marketplace 119
Systemic data collection, processing, and sharing is still not
very common in cities. “There remains a lack of comprehen-
92
[RE]verse Pitch Competition
sive information and data available at the cross-authority and
93
SmartCitiesWorld, Austin launches circular economy challenge cross-public level, which would help unlock more opportu-
nities for productive use of assets in more areas,” say Louise
94
Advance London, Advance London Accelerator McGough and Hugo Bessis, in Delivering change: public assets
– common challenges across all cities, Centreforcities (26th
95
Paris&CO, Ville Durable November 2015)

PAGE • 32
120
Materials Passports are sets of data describing all the materials 149
Gemeente Amsterdam, Roadmap circular land tendering: an
that are present in an asset and the characteristics that give introduction to circular building projects (2017)
them value for recovery and reuse. Building As Material Banks;
Madaster
150
Circle Economy, Amsterdam circular: evaluation and action
perspectives (2018)
121
For example, data is collected through electronic ticketing
(Oyster), public Wi-Fi, digital bus tracking (iBus), cameras, etc.
151
BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment
method for master planning projects, infrastructure, and
122
Examples of benefits include saved time from using open data buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher-
to better plan journeys and reduce time lost due to congestion performing assets across the built environment life cycle,
and delays, reduced uncertainty on public transport from from new construction to in-use and refurbishment
using open data to plan journeys and the resulting time saved,
and value of more journeys taken by people on buses after
152
De Groene Zaak, Governments going circular (2015)
using open data journey planners 153
European Commission, Public procurement for a circular
123
Deloitte, Assessing the value of TfL’s open data and digital economy: good practice and guidance (2017)
partnerships (July 2017); Transport for London, Our open data, 154
Ibid.
tfl.gov.uk
155
Design-Build-Finance-Operate is a public-private partnership
124
Project Sunroof, Explore estimated solar potential of your
model that uses a project delivery structure where the private
community;
sector is put in charge of designing, constructing, (partially/
125
Seoul Solution, Policies – [inclusive growth] sharing city Seoul fully) financing, and operating a capital project that is owned
project by the government. After the fixed tenure expires, the project
reverts to the government
126
Andrew Saunders, Upcycled London underground trains could
be back at work on the railways, Management Today (25th
156
Major Infrastructure – Resource Optimisation Group
August 2015), (MI-ROG), White paper: embedding circular economy
principles into infrastructure operator procurement
127
Rail Technology Magazine, Comfort, cost and fuel-saving – the activities (2016)
case for the D-train (1st August 2015)
157
Ibid.
128
SFpark, About the project
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
129
Philips Lighting, The need for upgraded systems: city touch
and SAP HANA offer a 360-degree view of data 158
World Bank, Urban development (5th October 2018);
130
Waste & Resources Action Programme, Targeting waste Public investment
savings in highways – M25 Connect Plus
159
131
ISSU, Buiksloterham Circulaire – ontwerpen aan de Towards a framework for the governance of infrastructure
postindustriele stad (2016); Amsterdam Smart City, Circulair (2015)
Buiksloterham
160
Ibid.; Deloitte, Funding options: alternative financing for
132
Greater London Authority, London infrastructure map infrastructure development (2013)
133
Scape Group, How can the public sector lead and drive value 161
Ibid.
using the circular economy? (26th September 2017)
162
Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions,
134
City of Vancouver, City adopts zero waste 2040 strategic plan, Young institute delivering metropolitan solutions to urban
single-use item reduction strategy, and deconstruction waste challenges
measures (16th May 2018)
163
Brussels Circular Economy Transition
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT 164
London Waste and Recycling Board, Advance London
135
European Commission, Public procurement for a circular
economy: good practice and guidance (2017)
165
Advance London, Scaling circular innovation in London
136
European Commission, Green public procurement drives
166
Arizona State University, Resource Innovation Solutions
the circular economy (5th September 2016); United Nations Network (RISN) incubator
Environment Programme, Global review of sustainable public 167
Phoenix Business Journal, Starting up to waste less: ASU,
procurement (2017)
Phoenix launch incubator focused on minimizing waste
137
Mairie de Paris, Paris circular economy plan (2017) (4th June 2017)
138
Public Sector Executive, Manchester’s ‘social value’
168
GreenBiz, Phoenix launches a hub for the circular economy
procurement boosts local economy (7th March 2018) (15th June 2017)
139
Sustainable public procurement is now broadly defined
169
Amsterdam Smart City, City-zen: Retrofitting homes (Septem-
and includes circular purchasing, biobased procurement, ber 2018); C40 Cities, C40 Good Practice Guides: Amsterdam
innovation-driven procurement as well as social criteria – Sustainability Fund and Amsterdam Climate & Energy Fund
(23rd November 2016)
140
European Commission, Netherlands in-depth country report –
public procurement (2016)
170
Bycyklen
141
SF Approved, San Francisco’s new carpet regulation: pushing
171
Brookings, Governing city infrastructure: who drives the urban
the boundaries on green products (9th March 2018) project cycle? (2017)
142
European Commission, Circular procurement of furniture for
172
European Investment Bank, The EIB in the circular economy
the City Hall of Venlo (6th April 2016) (2018); European Commission, JESSICA: joint European
support for sustainable investment in city areas
143
London Waste and Recycling Board, LWARB’s circular office
fit out
173
“Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City
Areas (JESSICA)” is an initiative of the European Commission
144
European Commission, GPP In practice: green procurement of developed in co-operation with the European Investment Bank
cleaning products – City of Ghent (Belgium) (2017) and the Council of Europe Development Bank
145
Copper8, Circulair aanbesteden (2018) 174
Ibid.; University College London, JESSICA urban development
funds – impact funds: a concept for urban policy delivery
146
Nature, Circular economy: getting the circulation going (24th (14th June 2011)
March 2016)
175
The European Investment Bank manages the London Green
147
Eindhoven, Eindhoven circulair: op weg naar een circulaire Fund on behalf of the Greater London Authority and London
economie (2018–2020) (2017) Waste and Recycling Board. Energy for London, Tate awarded
first London energy efficiency fund investment (2013)
148
CleanTechRegio, Gemeente Apeldoorn gaat voor circulair
verantwoord renovatie (27th February 2017) 176
The Tate, New futures

PAGE • 33
177
Another example is the Mayor of London’s Energy Efficiency 196
The Guardian, Barcelona fines banks €60,000 for empty
Fund (MEEF), which supports energy efficiency, decentralised homes (10th September 2015)
energy, renewable energy generation projects including
innovative technologies such as energy storage, electric
197
M. Ragazzi et al., Experiencing urban mining in an Italian
vehicle infrastructure, and low-carbon data centres. MEEF is municipality towards a circular economy vision, Energy
an investment fund, established by the GLA with funding from Procedia (2017)
the European Commission, to help achieve London’s ambition
of being a zero carbon city by 2050. Amber Infrastructure LEGISLATION AND REGULATION
Group, The Mayor of London’s Energy Efficiency Fund (MEEF)
198
Bylaws are local laws made by a local council under an
178
Sustainable Brands, CLF Impact Report reveals groundwork for enabling power contained in a public general act or a local act
robust recycling system, circular economy in U.S.; Closed Loop requiring something to be done – or not done – in a specified
Partners, Closed Loop Partners invests in the circular economy; area. They are accompanied by some sanction or penalty for
Closed Loop Partners, Building circular supply chains: Closed their non-observance. If validly made, bylaws have the force
Loop Progress Report (2017) of law within the areas to which they apply. gov.uk, Local
government legislation: bylaws
179
Recycle Memphis
199
A metropolitan area refers to the city and its surrounding
180
Urban Innovation Action Funds suburbs
181
Urban Innovation Action, Lappeenranta: urban infra revolution 200
– circular economy materials and novel method development Governing the city (2015)
to produce recyclable and functional urban construction
products 201
De Groene Zaak, Governments going circular (2015)
202
New York City – Department of Sanitation, Notice of adoption
FISCAL MEASURES
of final rule relating to the expansion of organic waste source
182
De Groene Zaak, Governments going circular (2015) separation requirements for various commercial entities (2018)
183
Interview with Hongying Yang, CEO of Shanghai Yuanyuan,
203
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, The circular economy
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017) opportunity for urban and industrial innovation in China (2018)
184
City of Cleveland, Tax abatement
204
Foster City California, Public works: construction and
demolition
185
Green Building Council, USGBC case study profiles successful
Cincinnati residential tax abatement, US (21st May 2018)
205
Circle Economy, Circular Amsterdam: a vision and action
agenda for the city and metropolitan area (2016)
186
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,
provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and
206
City of Guelph, Navigating the sharing economy: a 6-decision
cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally guide for municipalities (2017)
recognised symbol of sustainability achievement 207
Airbnb, New rules for home sharers in Berlin: the new housing
187
People’s Government of Shandong Province, General law (22nd June 2018)
Office of the People’s Government of Shandong Province, 208
Techcrunch, Amsterdam to halve Airbnb-style tourist rentals to
implementation opinions of the Document No. 71, 2016 of
30 nights a year per host (2018)
the General Office of the State Council of the People’s
Republic of China to develop prefabricated buildings, 209
The New York Times, Uber hit with cap as New York city takes
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017) lead in crackdown (8th August 2018)
188
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 210
MaRS Solutions Lab, Shifting perspectives: redesigning
Milan: a comprehensive food policy to tackle food waste (2018) regulation for the sharing economy (2016)
189
POCACITO, Food waste recycling – Milan 211
City of Guelph, Navigating the sharing economy: a 6-decision
guide for municipalities (2017)
190
Huffington Post, Why carryout fees are more effective than
plastic bag bans (15th February 2017) 212
Green Building Law Update, The most green building friendly
zoning code in the nation – Baltimore? (4th November 2013)
191
Development Asia, The case for electronic road pricing
(May 2016) 213
The City of New York, Green buildings and energy efficiency:
zone green
192
Transport and Environment, How to get rid of dirty diesels on
city roads (2018) 214
ABC, Ban on styrofoam food containers in New York city set to
take effect Jan. 1 (13th June 2018)
193
Citiscope, In Cremona, ideas to make the ‘circular economy’
real for cities (29th November 2017) 215
Scottish Government, Climate change plan: third report on
proposals and policies 2018–2032 (RPP3) (2018)
194
CNBC, How San Francisco sends less trash to the landfill than
any other major US city (14th July 2018) 216
City of Amsterdam, Environmental zone
195
C40 Cities, Auckland – Auckland waste to resources 217
Transport & Environment, How to get rid of dirty diesels on
city roads (2018)
DISCLAIMER
This document has been produced by a team from
the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Arup provided expert input. The Ellen
MacArthur Foundation makes no representations and provides no warranties in
relation to any aspect of the document, including regarding the advisability of
investing in any particular company or investment fund or other vehicle. Whilst
care and attention has been exercised in the preparation of the document and
its analyses, relying on data and information believed to be reliable, neither
the Foundation nor any of its employees or appointees shall be liable for any
claims or losses of any nature in connection with information contained in this
document including, but not limited to, lost profits or punitive or
consequential damages.

PAGE • 34

www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org


CE in Cities Policy Levers Mar19

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CE in Cities Policy Levers Mar19

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PAGE • 1

CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN CITIES

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

This paper is part of Circular economy in cities by the Ellen

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

CITY GOVERNMENTS AND

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

CITIES ARE CENTRES

The importance of creating responsible

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

URBAN POLICY LEVERS

Click on the Policy Lever titles below to jump

FIGURE 1: URBAN POLICY LEVERS FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY TRANSITIONS

VISION ENGAGEMENT URBAN ECONOMIC R E G U L AT I O N

ROADMAPS AND CONVENING URBAN FINANCIAL L E G I S L AT I O N

AWA R E N E S S ASSET FISCAL

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

FIGURE 2: INTERLINKAGES AND

The five categories include:

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

incentivise these new practices, while managing

Taking an inclusive approach to

urban policy making allows for

be addressed and their experiences drawn on.

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

The following section discusses the ten urban policy

In this section, please note the following:

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

CO-DEVELOPING CITY VISIONS WITH A WIDE In follow up to circular economy roadmaps, in

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

SHARING KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHER CITIES TO • Participatory budgeting encourages the

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

USING CIRCULAR ECONOMY PUBLIC economy building developments.149 The city

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

BACK TO POLICY LEVER OVERVIEW

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019

ROADMAPS AND STRATEGIES 49

© ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, MARCH 2019