Transformative Urban Living Labs: Towards a Circular Economy in Amsterdam and Turin

Federico Cuomo, Stefania Ravazzi, Federico Savini and Luca Bertolini
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Federico Cuomo: Department of Cultures, Politics and Society, University of Turin, Lungo Dora Siena, 100 A, 10153 Torino, Italy
Stefania Ravazzi: Department of Cultures, Politics and Society, University of Turin, Lungo Dora Siena, 100 A, 10153 Torino, Italy
Federico Savini: Department of Human Geography, Planning and International Development, University of Amsterdam. Nieuwe Acthtergracht 166, 1018 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Luca Bertolini: Department of Human Geography, Planning and International Development, University of Amsterdam. Nieuwe Acthtergracht 166, 1018 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-19

Abstract: The circular economy is becoming a field of experimentation to trigger site-specific laboratories oriented towards connecting material flows and citizens’ practices. Despite their wide use, a critical perspective of the transformative paths of these Urban Living Labs (ULLs) is still missing. This paper compares the paths followed by two such experiments, one in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and the other in Turin (Italy). To this end, we build an analytical framework that targets three dimensions: unconventionality, autonomy, and systemic impact on policies. We conclude that ULLs can take very different transformation paths over time due to a wide range of enablers and barriers. In Amsterdam there has been an assimilation in the neighbourhood as well as a transformative effect on an urban scale; while the case of Turin has turned out to be potentially transformative but also at risk of marginalization.

Keywords: urban experimentations; urban living labs; circular economy; Amsterdam; Turin (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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