Circular Resource Flows in Cities - Part 2
ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
The global population living in cities is expected to reach nearly 70% by 2050. This trend in urbanisation will require massive amounts of infrastructure to be built from concrete and other natural and manufactured materials. In the second episode of our miniseries on the circular economy, we explore the business case for circular resource flows - such as concrete, wood, and glass - in the construction and building sector.Â
Join us as PhD Candidate Julia Nussholz, researcher Yuliya Voytenko Palgan, as well as recent IIIEE Master’s graduate Felicia Gustafsson guide us out to the cities, to the construction sites and the architect’s desk, and invite us to consider how used and discarded building material should not be seen as waste, but another form of construction material. We explore examples of closing and slowing resource loops in the construction industry as well as consider how to design circular business models that facilitate customer acceptance. But, are businesses doing enough? And, what is the role of policymakers to promote a circular economy that truly delivers on its sustainability promises?
Show Notes:
In this month's episode, we discuss the following:Â
1:45 – Recap of the Circular Economy – Slowing, Narrowing and Closing Loops
3:00 – Why a focus on cities?
5:10 – Yuliya Voytenko Palgan sets the urban perspective
12:00 – A quiz question! What is the most used substance on Earth?
13:15 – A closer look at construction materials
16:00 – The Sustainability Scoop: Building Green Event in Copenhagen
18:50 – Julia Nussholz shares her insights from a circular economy in the building sector
29:35 – Felicia Gustavsson tells us more about customer value
36:00 – Closing and key take-aways
Links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/science/earth/31conc.html?searchResultPosition=4
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/25/concrete-the-most-destructive-material-on-earth
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Podcast Episode # 12: Circular Resource Flows in Cities: Part 2 of the mini-series on Circular Economy