ENVST post 3

Good afternoon! 

Today, I would like to talk about an example of circular cities with a definition from "Circular Cities: What Are the Benefits of Circular Development?" by Jo Williams.

I summarized and talked a lot about circular cities in first blog. After reading the paper, I wanted to think about it with actual example.

 

In the paper by Jo Williams, the definition of a circular city was in which individuals in industrialized environments adopt and utilize closed-loop production and business.

 

Williams focuses on the resource loops in the urban ecosystem.  Resource security would make less waste, and make healthier environment for the earth and citizens. This is what the author thinks as the foundation of circular cities. Circular systems include food, water,  nutrition systems, space utilization, cleaning contaminated soil, and blue-green infrastructure. The author mentioned if there is enough money, and population participation.

 

There were several stages that this paper introduced, but I would introduce 3 steps.

First one is the adoption to circular urban system including construction, food, water, and nutrient recycling, heat waste and ecological restoration.

Second one is Circular development. This is the change of cities' systems such as infrastructure and this would urge the first step.

Third one is ecological regeneration, adaptation, resource looping. Reuse, recycling, recovery would reduce consumption.

 

Conclusion talks about the usage of this article and farther future research about this paper because there are some missing data and only partially reliable. They would need to test the hypothesis in practical field.

 

From this, I analyzed Zurich.

 

 

ZURICH

According to HOLCIM, Zurich is the most circulatory city. 

According to Strategy «Circular Zurich», Zurich aims for the city administration, economy, science, and population to implement a circular economy. The goal is to use resources as less as possible in an intelligent way, and reduce environmental pollution. In Zurich, there are three fields to achieve the goal. 

 

The first one is design and production. Zurich decided to reuse building materials such as component reuse. By reusing design and material, Zurich wants to be the pioneer of an important university.

-this is what first and second stage talked.

 

The second one is distribution, consumption, and use. During this phase, there is potential to strengthen local cycles and optimize exporting and importing. Also, Zurich regards consumption and use in the city because Zurich is large and has high per capita consumption. To stimulate the demand for recyclable products and services, "the promotion of inner loops (sharing, repairing, reusing and manufacturing) " is the most important. This would stimulate new business and widen opportunities.

- This is definitely belongs to resource looping

 

The last one is Collection, Recycling, and Raw Material Processing. After finishing the reuse of materials, and judging that materials are no longer being used, they should be recycled. For that Zurich had already developed separate collections and infrastructure about waste. However, there is more room to improve such as organic waste or plastics.

 

 

This is a short strategy in Zurich. How do you feel about it?

Actually, I was so surprised. It doesn't seem like a "Super-improving city", however specific and realistic goals. 

The next step seems really clear. 

For design and production, recyclable products and materials should be increased shortly. There is a potential that the government may help start-up companies working on circular materials. However, it was not clearly stated. 

 

For distribution, consumption, and use, it was good. 

 

I think the plan is fundamental for collection, recycling, and raw material processing. However, I thought this clear statement and future plan for recollecting data.

 

 

 

 

 

From this analysis, I felt food and water (specific necessity) is missing. Maybe the system is already made or not, but, surely, they have money and will to change the city to make circular. Also other parts are good. And has realistic aims and structure.  This aim may make the budget and use of it visible.

 

I learned about public participation lectures. It said public participation caters to the same (supporting) group. This requires one big political group to lead circular cities. For that, citizen have to have a new group or try to change the big party's will. This must be a big obstacle.

 

After understanding these concepts and examples, I felt the necessity to make a city that improved enough and has money to maintain the city. 

It's a common conclusion, but I still don't have enough knowledge and also I felt the it would be difficult to combine environmental protection and economic growth. Those who don't have infrastructure may be able to create a circular city.

 

Thank you so much for reading!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

 

 

 

 

Williams, J. (2021). Circular Cities: What Are the Benefits of Circular Development? Sustainability, 13(10), 5725. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105725