This chapter is dedicated to information on the macro trends shaping the future of our contemporary urbanisation processes, including environmental support of the city development and management issues, definition of factors that should allow the transformation of the existing cities, and possibilities for future changes and evolutions. Case studies of European cities management will be presented. The main issues discussed will be approach to the circular of energy and water sources, air and building materials, and the rationality and efficiency of their use.
TopCircular Approach To City Making
Circular economy basics appeared as early as in the -70-ties of the 20th Century with the intention to promote a world without waste. Over 40 years later this vision became the main aim for many country governments. Analysis provided by Kircherr, Reike and Hekkert (Kircherr et al, 2017) allowed to formulate a holistic definition according to which circular economy is described as an economic business concept which will take the place of the “material’s end of life” and concentrate on limitations, alternative use, recycling and reclaim of materials during production and consuming processes. Hence, the changes will take place on the micro-levels (products, firm and consumers), intermediate levels (eco-industrial parks) and macro-levels (cities, regions, countries and larger regions). All above tasks, lead to further sustainable development and pursue environmental quality, economic prosperity and social quality. These will become an added value for the present and future generations.
Circular economy challenges traditional linear economy in the areas concerning extraction, growth, production and transportation of resources. Traditionally, they are discarded prior to their maximum use value which can be achieved in the processing chain. This model was effective, only when the in-put goods were cheap and easily accessible, presently this approach does not lead towards sustainable development, hence the requirement to “close the loops” and approaches to create an economic sustainable development model. A scheme presenting a transformation sequence of a process leading to circular economy standard is depicted on Figure 1. Circularity is increased through application of triple steps: useful application of materials, extended lifespan of products and parts, as well as smarter products use and manufacture. Above concepts are managed by various tasks – strategies. The first level – useful application of materials – consists of recycle and recover issues, both being presently the best developed areas in construction industry. This also is the lowest level and changes and the next two, are in many cases still out of industrial reach. Nevertheless extended lifespan is can already be traced in areas where reuse, repair, refurbish and repurpose applies. Remanufacture in building industry is still an area which should be part of the research area. Smarter products may also be found on the market, but the application of refuse, rethink process are still to be researched on a scientific level. Whereas application of reduce has strong possibilities in building and the management process should be more efficient both where it comes to production and construction processes.
Figure 1. Transformation of the linear economy into circular
Basics of the circular economy approach can be found in many theories dating back to the former century, but as stated in the first lines of this chapter, only last decades brought concrete research and conditions for further development. Some of the related concepts presented in detail by Ellen MacArthur Foundation are presented below (www.Ellenmacarthurfoundation.org.):