To develop this content, a number of key resources were drawn upon. C40 Cities’ Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods report, produced in association with Arup, is a comprehensive resource. Creating Circular Neighbourhoods is a discussion paper from the United Nations Environment Programme, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, C40 Cities, Arup and the City of Mexico that explores circular neighbourhoods as a starting point for circularity in a city. The ‘15-minute city’ idea was originally conceived by architect Carlos Moreno and has been explored in more detail by Arup.
Many other organisations have also developed guidance for cities on sustainability and neighbourhoods: UN-Habitat’s five principles for sustainable neighbourhood planning; UNEP’s Integrated Guidelines for Sustainable Neighbourhood Design; the urban manufacturing research project Cities of Making from the cities of Brussels, London & Amsterdam; Systemiq’s Efficient and balanced space use: shaping vibrant neighbourhoods and boosting climate progress in Europe, and Creative Denmark’s white paper on designing the irresistible circular society. However, research gaps have been noted on the topic of circular neighbourhoods - further research could explore:
The circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. in rural neighbourhoods
How national and/or international policies and interactions can impact circular neighbourhoods
How urban planning practices need to adapt to enable circular neighbourhoods
How cities can find and access the physical space needed for sharingsharingThe use of a product by multiple users. It is a practice that retains the highest value of a product by extending its use period., repairing and repurposing initiatives
What data is needed, and how to create an integrated data ecosystem for circular neighbourhoods to monitor and evaluate interventions
Whether third-party platforms are needed to bring together the private sector, government and citizens/community
How larger and multinational businesses can engage with and help to co-create circular neighbourhoods.
