Urban Sustainability Models: Circular Economy and Doughnut Economics
To address urban sustainability challenges, cities are increasingly adopting models such as the circular economy and doughnut economics.
Note
These models aim to promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability while reducing waste, enhancing resource efficiency, and ensuring that all citizens have access to the resources they need for a healthy and fulfilling life.
Circular Economy in Urban Development
A circular economy focuses on reducing waste and resource consumption by promoting the continual use of resources.
- In this model, products, materials, and resources are kept in use for as long as possible.
- When products reach the end of their life, they are either reused, refurbished, or recycled to create new products, thus minimizing waste.
Sustainable Advantages:
- Waste Reduction:
- By keeping materials in circulation, the amount of waste produced by cities is significantly reduced, thus decreasing the burden on landfills.
- Resource Efficiency:
- Encourages the use of renewable resources and reduces dependency on finite raw materials.
- Economic Growth:
- Circular economy practices can stimulate local businesses, create green jobs, and improve economic resilience by reducing reliance on external resource supply chains.
- Reduction in Carbon Footprint:
- The reuse and recycling of products help reduce the need for new production, which leads to lower energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions.
Example
Amsterdam’s Circular Economy Model
- Amsterdam has been a pioneer in adopting the circular economy model.
- The city has implemented a series of initiatives to reduce waste and promote resource efficiency:
- Circular construction:
- Amsterdam is focusing on the reuse of building materials in the construction industry.
- For example, old buildings are dismantled, and materials like wood, metal, and glass are recycled and used in new construction projects.
- Recycling:
- The city encourages businesses and residents to recycle by providing easy access to recycling bins and promoting circular business models.
- Sustainable urban mobility:
- Amsterdam promotes car-sharing programs and electric bikes to reduce dependence on private car ownership and lower emissions.
- The Amsterdam Circular Economy program aims to become a fully circular city by 2050, achieving zero waste and reducing resource consumption while maintaining economic growth and quality of life.
Doughnut Economics in Urban Development
Doughnut economics, introduced by economist Kate Raworth, is a model that seeks to balance the needs of people with the planet's ecological limits.
The model is represented by a doughnut-shaped diagram with two boundaries:
- The inner boundary represents the minimum living standards (social foundation) that all individuals should have, such as access to healthcare, education, housing, and employment.
- The outer boundary represents the ecological ceiling, or the planet's environmental limits, beyond which ecosystems and the climate cannot sustain life.
Note
The goal is to ensure that societies operate within this safe and just space, meeting everyone’s basic needs without overshooting the planet's ecological boundaries.
Sustainable Advantages:
- Social Equity: Ensures that all residents have access to the resources they need for a dignified life while addressing poverty and inequality.
- Environmental Sustainability: Prevents overconsumption of natural resources by respecting ecological limits and promoting regenerative practices.
- Holistic Approach: Integrates social, economic, and environmental factors, offering a more balanced and inclusive framework for sustainable development.
Example
The City of Amsterdam’s Doughnut Economics Pilot
- In addition to its circular economy model, Amsterdam has also adopted doughnut economics as a guiding framework for its urban development.
- The city conducted a pilot program to apply doughnut economics to local policies, particularly in areas such as:
- Affordable housing:
- Ensuring access to safe and adequate housing for all residents while minimizing environmental impact.
- Sustainable food systems:
- Promoting local, sustainable food production that respects ecological boundaries and ensures equitable access to nutritious food.
- Social inclusion:
- Focusing on reducing inequality by ensuring that basic needs such as education, healthcare, and employment are met for all citizens, particularly marginalized communities.
- Amsterdam's use of doughnut economics encourages the city to balance social needs with environmental limits, creating a more sustainable and just urban system.
Green Architecture and Sustainable Building Practices
Definition
Green architecture
Green architecture refers to the design, construction, and operation of buildings in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient manner throughout their life cycle.
This includes minimizing harmful effects on human health and the environment by using sustainable building materials, energy-efficient construction practices, and designs that promote sustainability.
Key Principles of Green Architecture
- Sustainable Materials:
- Green architecture emphasizes the use of materials that are renewable, recyclable, and non-toxic.
- For example, bio-based materials, like bamboo, and recycled materials, such as reclaimed wood or recycled metal, help reduce environmental impact.
- Energy Efficiency:
- Buildings are designed to reduce energy consumption through insulation, natural lighting, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and renewable energy sources like solar panels.
- Water Conservation:
- Sustainable buildings often include rainwater harvesting systems, low-flow plumbing, and water-efficient landscaping to conserve water resources.
- Circular Construction:
- This involves designing buildings with the intention of reusing materials, reducing waste, and promoting the recycling of construction materials at the end of the building's life.
Green Architecture
1. Bale Construction
- Bale construction uses straw bales as the primary building material.
- Straw is a byproduct of agriculture, making it an affordable, renewable, and natural material.
- Bale construction offers excellent insulation properties, making these buildings energy-efficient and capable of maintaining a stable indoor temperature in both hot and cold climates.
Sustainable Advantages:
- Energy Efficiency:
- Straw bale buildings have high thermal mass and insulation, which reduces heating and cooling costs.
- Carbon Sequestration:
- Straw is a carbon-neutral material, as it absorbs carbon dioxide during its growth.
- This helps mitigate the carbon emissions associated with construction.
- Low Environmental Impact:
- Straw bales are biodegradable and can be used without causing significant environmental damage.
Example
- The Straw Bale House in New Mexico, USA, is a prominent example where straw bale construction has been used to create energy-efficient homes.
- The technique is also popular in regions of Europe, like Spain, where straw bale homes are increasingly being integrated into sustainable housing projects.
2. Bottle and Plastic Construction
- Using recycled bottles, plastic containers, and other waste materials in construction is a growing trend in green architecture.
- This process involves repurposing plastic bottles and other discarded materials to build walls, insulation, and other components of buildings.
Sustainable Advantages:
- Waste Reduction: This method prevents plastic waste from entering landfills and oceans, as discarded plastic is used to create buildings.
- Low Cost: Recycled materials often come at a much lower cost than traditional building materials, making it a viable option for low-cost housing.
- Insulation: The use of plastic and bottles in construction helps with thermal insulation, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.
Example
- The Eco-Center in Brazil is a notable example where plastic bottles and other waste materials were used to create walls, floors, and ceilings.
- This construction method not only reduces waste but also provides affordable housing in resource-constrained areas.
3. 3D Printing Houses
3D printing technology is revolutionizing the construction industry by enabling the printing of entire buildings or components of buildings.
This method uses materials like concrete, bioplastics, or even recycled waste materials to create structures.
Sustainable Advantages:
- Material Efficiency: 3D printing uses only the necessary amount of material, reducing waste produced during construction.
- Customizability: Buildings can be designed with precision and tailored to meet specific needs, including energy-efficient designs.
- Affordable Housing: 3D printing allows for quicker construction, reducing labor costs, and offering a low-cost solution to housing shortages.
Example
- The ICON Project in Texas, USA, has used 3D printing to create affordable homes.
- Their Vulcan 3D printer has been used to build structures in as little as 24 hours, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable, fast, and affordable housing solutions.
4. Arabic Wind Tower Houses (Barajeel)
The wind tower, or barajeel, is a traditional form of architecture used in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, Oman, and Iran.
These towers are designed to capture and direct cool breezes into buildings, providing natural ventilation in hot climates.
Sustainable Advantages:
- Natural Cooling: Wind towers reduce the need for air conditioning by using natural airflow to cool the building, making them highly energy-efficient.
- Cultural Integration: This architectural feature integrates traditional knowledge with modern needs, promoting a sense of cultural identity while addressing sustainability.
- Resource Efficiency: Wind towers use no electricity, reducing the building’s overall energy consumption.
Example
- The Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood in Dubai features wind towers integrated into traditional homes, showcasing the sustainable design of barajeel.
- These towers help reduce the need for artificial cooling, providing comfort in the harsh desert climate.
