From Linear to Circular—Challenges for Changing Urban Metabolism?! An Analysis of Local Energy Transition Activities in Four European Cities

Abstract

Challenges like climate change and peak oil are calling for a greater transformational process of urban regions. The vision of a regenerative and energy-efficient city with a high quality of life promotes an attractive future perception. The implementation requires changing urban metabolism from linear to circular. Promoting regional transformation encompasses creating new governance structures and realizing comprehensive measures. Acting on a municipal level, participation of society is as crucial as the active involvement of local actors and pioneers of vision. Changes of societal, political and economic framework conditions are strongly linked to an increase of individual awareness, activation of available resources and social learning processes. The paper outlines local transition processes of implementing this vision in four case study cities—Dobrich (Bulgaria), Modena (Italy), Munich (Germany) and Odense (Denmark). The research focused on identifying local actors and governance structures as well as strategies for communication and participation in municipal authorities

Looking to peripheral river islands in Brazil to develop an urban island water metabolism perspective

“…Conceptually, this research draws on the 'urban metabolism' framework, which can be described as socio-ecological, socio-economic, socio-political, and socio-technical resource flows such as water in, out, and within the urban environment (Currie and Musango, 2016;Kennedy et al, 2007;Schiffer and Swan, 2018). Here, a circular or zero-waste metabolism is seen as sustainable and resilient (Agudelo-Vera et al, 2012) in contrast to a linear metabolism which is unsustainable and vulnerable (Klindworth et al, 2017;European Development Agency, 2015: 26). This research builds on previous studies that have adapted the urban metabolism concept to that of the urban water metabolism.…”

Water Security: A Summary of Key Findings Exploaring Islands in Brazil

“…The research makes use of the 'urban metabolism' concept which can be described as socio-technical, socio-economic and socio-ecological flows including water resources, people and information in, out and within the city (Currie & Musango, 2016;Kennedy, Cuddihy and Engel-Yan, 2007). Circular or zero-waste metabolisms are seen as sustainable and resilient (Agudelo-Vera, 2012) whereas linear metabolisms are understood as unsustainable and vulnerable (Klindworth et al, 2017;European Development Agency, 2015, p.26). In this paper, the aforementioned conceptual framework has been adapted to the 'water metabolism' of peripheral river islands and 'island metabolisms' more broadly.…”