I. Amsterdam, a city that thinks in circles rather than lines 🚴♀️
The circular metamorphosis: when economy and ecology meet
In 2020, Amsterdam launched an ambitious plan to become the first fully circular city by 2050. Inspired by the circular economy model proposed by British economist Kate Raworth and her famous**"Doughnut Economics**" (see below), the city has decided to rethink the way it uses its resources.
Gone are the days of single-use products, replaced by reuse, repair and recycling! This applies to everything from architecture and transportation systems to waste management and energy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, spearheading the circular economy concept, has worked hand in hand with the Dutch government to develop this visionary project.
> A concrete example
Take, for example, the Buiksloterham district, where buildings are designed to be modular and adaptable, allowing modifications without demolition. This district has become an open-air laboratory for testing innovative solutions in sustainable construction. You could even say it's a bit like the "Minecraft" of urban architects! 😉
Numbers that speak for themselves: the measurable impact of the circular economy
Amsterdam's transition to a circular economy isn't just a philosophical concept: it's already producing tangible results. By 2021, the city has managed to **reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 10% **compared to the previous year. What's more, 20% of the materials used in new buildings come from recycled resources. These figures are encouraging and show that change is on the way. And that's not all! According to a study by Circle Economy, the adoption of this model could generate up to 3,500 additional jobs in the region by 2030. So, whose turn is it to do the same? 😏
II. France at the crossroads: Paris or The Hague, who's next? 🇫🇷🇳🇱
Paris: capital of circular fashion?
Could Paris, the City of Light, become the next circular city after Amsterdam? The signs are promising. Paris City Hall has already launched several initiatives to reduce waste and promote reuse. The "Paris Circular Economy 2021-2025" plan aims to transform the city into an exemplary circular economy capital in Europe.
Some concrete examplesWe're thinking here of projects like "Les Canaux", an incubator for circular start-ups, or initiatives to turn food waste into compost in neighborhoods. Who knows, maybe soon the Eiffel Tower will shine thanks to recycled solar panels! 🌞
However, Paris faces considerable challenges, particularly in terms of **urban density **and waste management. To become the next Amsterdam, Paris will need to accelerate its efforts and get its citizens more involved in this transition. After all, why settle for being just a city of light when you can also be a green city? 🌿
The Hague: the unexpected challenger
On the other hand, The Hague, although smaller than Paris, also has big ambitions. Known as the city of peace and international justice, The Hague could well become the city of sustainability and circular innovation. The Dutch government has already adopted several policies to encourage circular practices, and The Hague is at the heart of these initiatives. In 2023, the city hosted "Circular Economy Week", attracting thousands of participants and many innovative sustainability start-ups. So, could The Hague overtake Paris in the circularity race? The competition is on! 🚀
III. And elsewhere in the world? New frontiers for the circular economy 🌍
United provinces and other European regions in the running
The Amsterdam model is already inspiring other regions in the Netherlands, notably the United Provinces, which are also keen to adopt circular practices. Rotterdam, known for its industrial port, is exploring new ways to reuse its resources and minimize waste. And even if Amsterdam has a head start, it's not out of the question for other Dutch cities to steal the show. In Europe, cities such as Copenhagen, Barcelona and Glasgow are also beginning to adopt similar policies. A sort of ecological "Game of Thrones" is being played out on the Old Continent! 🏰♻️
Beyond Europe: towards a circular world
Far from Europe, the circular economy is also making its mark. The city of San Francisco in the USA has implemented strict recycling policies and aims to become "Zero Waste" by 2030. In Asia, cities such as Tokyo and Seoul are also exploring circular models to manage their resources more efficiently. And the list goes on: Melbourne in Australia, Buenos Aires in Argentina... Each city is trying to find its own path towards a circular economy. It seems the race is on to become the next leader in urban sustainability. Who knows, maybe the next step will be... on Mars? 🪐
In short, Amsterdam has proved that it's possible to reinvent the city around the principles of the circular economy. The transition is underway, and it won't be long before other cities follow suit. Whether it's Paris, The Hague or another global megacity, the message is clear: sustainability is the key to the urban future. Are you ready to join this circular movement? If you'd like to find out more about how cities are embracing the circular economy, be sure to check out our other exciting articles on Lokki.rent!
Beignet City: a model for the circular economy
The idea of the Beignet City, inspired by Amsterdam's circular strategy, reinvents the way cities can balance human needs and ecological sustainability. The concept, developed by British economist Kate Raworth, uses the metaphor of a "doughnut" to illustrate an economic and social evaluation framework. In this vision, every city - be it Amsterdam, Paris, The Hague or elsewhere in the world - is represented as a doughnut, where the outer ring symbolizes the world's ecological limits and the central hole, the space where basic human needs are not met.
The Beignet City concept is based on four axes: social, ecological, local and global. Basic needs such as access to drinking water, food, decent housing, sanitation, energy, education and medical care form the first circle of the beignet. This is where the Dutch code and the policies of both Dutch and French governments play a key role. In Holland, for example, the government has adopted code changes to encourage architecture that promotes the recycling of materials and minimizes waste. In Amsterdam, these principles are embodied in the sustainable architecture of the Buiksloterham district, where materials are reused and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
In the historical context of the Netherlands and France, where centuries of war and rivalry for control of the provinces have shaped economic and political relations, the idea of a Beignet city offers a new paradigm. By adopting a circular strategy, these cities are not simply revising their building codes or economic policies, but seeking to reinvent their place in the world. They are answering an age-old question with a modern response: how can we balance economic prosperity with ecological responsibility? And it's not just a question for today's governments, who are admittedly busy competing for their share of the pie at the moment. It's also a crucial issue for the future generations who will live in these cities. In short, the Beignet city represents an inspiring model for a world in search of sustainability and equity, where every product is designed for prolonged use and resources are shared equitably by all.
So, whether it's Amsterdam, Paris, The Hague, or other cities across the European provinces, the Beignet city model points the way to a more balanced and resilient circular economy.
Two concrete examples of circularity in action in Amsterdam 🌿
The circular economy, a central concept for modern cities, is finding concrete applications in Amsterdam thanks to innovative projects like Reflower and Dik & Schil.
Reflower: sustainable flowers for a green future 🌷
Reflower, founded by Ellyne Bierman, reinvents the floral industry by offering long-lasting artificial flowers, reducing CO2 emissions and waste compared to fresh flowers. This "Flowers as a Service" model cuts CO2 emissions by 146 kg **and creates **18 kg less waste **per bouquet over ten years, in line with the circular economy principles promoted by the Dutch government. Inspired by the history of the United Provinces, this initiative shows how Amsterdam is using sustainable concepts to meet modern challenges.
Dik & Schil: adding value to food waste 🍊
Dik & Schil, run by Stijn Fischer and Branco Bolsius, transforms food waste such as coffee grounds and orange peel into innovative drinks. By integrating recycling practices into gastronomy, they demonstrate how the principles of the circular economy can be applied in the catering sector, minimizing environmental impact and inspiring other cities like Paris and The Hague to follow suit.
These initiatives, rooted in Dutch culture and its history of innovation, show that a circular economy can thrive by changing our approach to resources and waste, offering an inspiring model for cities around the world. Paris, after the Olympics, the doughnut?
