Conceptualizing Core Aspects on Circular Economy in Cities

Elena Simina Lakatos, Geng Yong, Andrea Szilagyi, Dan Sorin Clinci, Lucian Georgescu, Catalina Iticescu and Lucian-Ionel Cioca
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Elena Simina Lakatos: Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment “Ernest Lupan”, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Geng Yong: School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
Andrea Szilagyi: Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment “Ernest Lupan”, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Dan Sorin Clinci: Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment “Ernest Lupan”, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Lucian Georgescu: Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunӑrea de Jos” University of Galati, 800201 Galati, Romania
Catalina Iticescu: Faculty of Sciences and Environment, “Dunӑrea de Jos” University of Galati, 800201 Galati, Romania
Lucian-Ionel Cioca: Faculty of Engineering, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 10 Victoriei Blv., 550024 Sibiu, Romania

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: Currently, there are many different interpretations in the literature of what a circular economy is and how it functions. As cities are still facing challenges to become fully sustainable, the need for a comprehensive analysis of how the circular economy can be implemented in urban areas is increasing. This article aims at outlining circular cities by their key characteristics and to further explore and provide a framework for fostering circularity at the city level. In order to achieve this goal, we performed a systematic review and analyzed key papers published in the field of circular economy to determine how circular economy practices form circular cities. We discovered that cities play a focal role in facilitating the transition towards circularity through the closing of the loops, recirculation, technical innovation, policy elaboration and citizens’ support. However, city policymakers are still uncertain about how a circular city looks like and what its purpose is, as views are ranging from a strategic ambition to a niche concept of a smart city. Such uncertainty brings challenges, especially in the transition phase that many cities are in at the moment. This further implies that circular economy applied at the urban level still needs effort and innovation to successfully pass the transition phase from the linear economy. Therefore, lastly, we developed a framework model that can be adapted in other cities to facilitate their transition to circular cities.

Keywords: circular economy; circular cities; sustainability; urban circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:7549-:d:589407

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