Make it a circular city: Experiences and challenges from European cities striving for sustainability through promoting circular making

Coskun A., Metta J., BAKIRLIOĞLU Y., Çay D., Bachus K.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol.185, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 185
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106495
  • Journal Name: Resources, Conservation and Recycling
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Geobase, Greenfile, INSPEC, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Maker movement, Circular economy, Citizen engagement, Vibrant ecosystem, Stakeholder strategies, Circular makerspace, Sustainable development goals, PERSPECTIVE
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2022 Elsevier B.V.A growing number of cities are deploying circular economy practices to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Makerspaces are community-driven initiatives enabling the collaboration between a city's diverse stakeholders in that objective. They can enhance the citizens' contribution to circularity by engaging them in circular ''making'' activities (e.g., reuse, repair, sharing) and by providing them with novel means, skills, and knowledge in these activities. However, cities face various challenges during the process of engaging citizens to create a vibrant circular city. Based on an in-depth analysis of experiences and challenges in seven European cities, which attempted to embrace the SDGs through circular making activities, this paper presents ten engagement-related challenges and five strategies to overcome them. Integrating these challenges and strategies in a strategy-challenge matrix offers several recommendations for cities striving to address SDGs through establishing and maintaining circular makerspaces.