By 2030, around 60% of the world’s population will be living in urban deltas, where 80% of global GDP will be produced. This ever-expanding urbanization needs innovation, creativity and new ways of cooperation in order to provide for good living conditions with minimal impact. Closing the loops of resource flows in urban regions is a key strategy, in which cities hold leadership opportunities to pioneer. We will zoom in on the dynamics within cities and regions to deal with this challenge.
We often imagine urban futures of green and healthy cities where ecosystems can thrive, and waste and pollution are absent. This long-term vision is increasingly being translated into policies and practices. In spite of that, profound change, understood as an interaction of vision, words and deeds, is still difficult and blurry. Acknowledging this is a first step towards developing transition strategies that are environmentally sound and socially just. This session aims to 1) provide insights into the main drivers and ambitions in regional and metropolitan transitions, 2) provide a view of what a compelling evaluative framework could look like, 3) spell out the chances, dilemmas, and pitfalls that have been encountered in experiences and research.
Speakers:
- Dr. Saskia Sassen
- Prof. Mark Swilling
- More speakers to be announced
- Unlocking the potential of urban resources through new use of urban spaces (Eurocities)
- Make and take design principles and solutions for closed material loops (VUB VIBE)
- The UrbanWINS approach: citizen-driven priority action for waste prevention, resources management and innovative circular business models (ICLEI)
- Circular Economy: Stimulating new business models in the building and real estate sector (German Sustainable building council)
- From city blight to urban might: Using circular urban design strategies to reuse and refurbish empty buildings (BBL)
- Interreg tracering C&D waste (VCB)
- Antwerp, a city where circularity matters (City of Antwerp)
- Blue Gate Antwerp - When a blackfield turns into a sustainable business parc, the infinity of circularity becomes clear (DEC/DEME)