A neighbourhood‐scale conceptual model towards regenerative circularity for the built environment

Abstract

There is potential in applying the circular economy (CE) and regenerative design (RD) models for the redevelopment of urban areas as a response to the current linear and mechanistic practices that still contribute to exceeding planetary boundaries and reinforcing social inequalities. Despite these models' common roots, they are usually approached quite differently. A merged approach may be able to solve existing gaps and critiques. This paper reviews relevant CE and RD definitions linked to the urban context. An inductive content analysis to map and discuss existing themes is conducted, leading to a set of five underpinning pillars. The resulting 'Regenerative Circularity for the Built Environment' conceptual model adopts a systemic and positive impact approach that is the steppingstone for the development of a practical tool aiming to support urban stakeholders in the transition of existing neighbourhoods with strategies more suitable to their aims and notion of place. K E Y W O R D S circular cities, circular economy, circularity, conceptual model, regenerative design and development, sustainable urban planning 1 | INTRODUCTION Societal development is a result of its core principles, and the current linear model, obsessed with economic and technological growth, has led the planet into many of its social and environmental problems, to the point of entering the so-called Anthropocene (Crutzen & Stoermer, 2000), or Capitalocene (Moore, 2017): A mindset in which humans are seen as the measure of everything (Lyle, 1994). Globalresource use is responsible for about 50% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and over 90% of impacts on water stress and biodiversity loss-this is, in part, a result of urbanisation, due to its intensive resource demand for infrastructure and buildings (IRP, 2019).Current urban development practices also negatively influence the aspects of equity, health and climate resilience (Barton, 2017). These impacts look to rise as the global urban population is expected to increase from 4.22 billion in 2018, to 6.68 billion in 2050 (UN-DESA, 2019), driving the expansion of cities and the demand for resources. At the same time, an existing building stock inefficient in energy consumption, use of raw materials, and capacity for adaptive reuse is calling for attention. In the United Kingdom, 87% of current stock, mostly inefficient, will still exist in 2050 (Kelly, 2009). In Australia, 50% of the buildings existing in 2050 will probably be built after 2019 (ASBEC & ClimateWorks Australia, 2018). And in Europe, most existing buildings date from 1940 to 1980 (Berggren & Wall, 2019). Different profiles will require different strategies.The comprehension that development needs to be a multidimensional concept that considers the environment as a central component was formally consolidated in the second half of the 20th century. This may be represented by important milestones as the need to move towards a sustainable world proposed by the Club of Rome

Revisão integrativa sobre economia circular em áreas urbanas

“…Models such as the Low Entropy Cities (Pelorosso; Gobattoni; Leone, 2017) and RC4BE (Sala Benites;Osmond;Prasad, 2022) focus on triggering systemic change at various levels of urban planning. Although these approaches aim to identify gaps in CE paradigms in urban areas, there is still a need for a more in-depth examination of their practical implications, as well as the definition of metrics to evaluate and optimize projects and the development of circular urban areas.…”

The complexity and interconnectedness of circular cities and the circular economy for sustainability

“…We can conclude from the indices for regeneration that cities are assisting with the degraded land recovery. By employing strategies that promote regeneration , cities improve environmental health, improve natural resources production (e.g., food and water resources) and maintain high health conditions for society living within the city's perimeter (Domenech & Borrion, 2022; Sala Benites et al, 2022).…”

A Future-Proof Built Environment through Regenerative and Circular Lenses—Delphi Approach for Criteria Selection

“…The chosen pathway is by validating a set of criteria based on the 'Regenerative Circularity for the Built Environment' (RC4BE) conceptual model proposed in [41] as a support for the transition of existing urban areas. The set of criteria proposed for a RC4BE framework was organised in five themes-(1) flows and stocks, (2) urban systems, (3) outdoor environmental quality, (4) bioconnectivity, and (5) local community and economy.…”

“…all based on systemic approach and positive impact that, through integrated planning, embrace life cycle thinking, respect the local and global social and ecological boundaries, and create value for all" [41] (p. 11).…”

“…It seeks to address some of the gaps identified in existing in NSAT and CE frameworks for the urban scale, as discussed above. Another aspect to be addressed regards the adoption of a cross-pollinated perspective to CE with regenerative design and positive impact concepts [41]. It is the fourth stage (Figure 2) in the development of a framework based on the RC4BE conceptual model-each stage building upon the previous one.…”