Skip to main content
Knowledge category: Projects

Closing the loop for urban material flows

Updated on 16.11.2023

Through the CityLoops project, six European demonstration cities are testing innovative, replicable tools and processes to support circular planning and decision-making related to construction and demolition waste and organic waste. CityLoops is developing a circular city scan methodology and indicators to drive the transition to a circular economy.

Acronym: CityLoops
Countries: Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain
Project website: https://cityloops.eu/
Start and end date: 01.10.2019 - 30.09.2023
Budget: 10 441 898 EUR
Funding source: Horizon 2020

More information

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) – including soil – and organic waste (OW) are two of the most significant urban material flows with a remarkable environmental impact in European cities. The EU-funded CityLoops project aims to close the loops of urban material flows and increase their regenerative capacity. Through demonstration actions, six ambitious, small-to-medium-sized cities (districts) ‒ Apeldoorn (NL), Bodø (NO), Mikkeli (FI), Porto (PT), Seville (ES) and Roskilde/Høje-Taastrup (DA) ‒ are testing innovative tools and processes to support circular urban planning and decision-making related to CDW and OW. As the cities have a population of 50 000‒600 000), the demonstrated tools, approaches and solutions should be replicable in many cities across Europe.
 

All demonstration cities are preparing scale-up plans. In the inception phase, each city has developed and implemented a circular city scan methodology and indicators. Material flow analysis (MFA) and urban metabolism methods have been adapted to include context-specific data and challenges, adjust planned demonstration actions, provide an evaluation framework for measures, and monitor their progress towards a circular economy. Further innovative tools are being developed, such as City Lab, a GIS-based city planning tool, and a pre-demolition resource-mapping tool for specific demonstration actions. Each city has also established a local stakeholder partnership to guide planning and implementation, involving citizen groups, businesses communities and other relevant partners. In each case, public procurement is being analysed to assess potential support measures.
 

At regional level, Collaborative Learning Networks are being established, consisting of other municipalities, public bodies, and relevant regional institutions, to prepare upscaling plans. At European level, Replication Zones are being recruited to prepare replication plans and guidance on replication is being produced.

Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions

The project pilots a series of demonstration actions to close the loop of two waste streams in Europe: CDW and OW. The solutions and actions go from instruments for predicting future excavated CDW and soil production, to awareness-raising campaigns, a circularity decision-making support tool, impact simulation, 3D visualisation tools, and procurement guidelines for bio-waste products. It is implementing 10 demonstration actions and testing over 30 new tools and processes. CityLoops is also developing tools for circular planning and decision making. The project is conducting an urban circularity assessment and developing a consolidated methodology to assess sector- and city-wide material stocks and flows. CityLoops is also developing comprehensive Circular City Indicators, including measurement guidance. This will result in an evaluation framework based on a series of circularity and sustainability indicators. The project is also identifying how circular procurement activities could be used to strategically support the actions of cities to tackle CDW and OW.

Horizon programme(s) and/or topic(s)

Programme(s):
 

  • H2020-EU.3.5.: SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials (Main programme)
  • H2020-EU.3.5.4.: Enabling the transition towards a green economy and society through eco-innovation
  • H2020-EU.3.5.2.: Protection of the environment, sustainable management of natural resources, water, biodiversity and ecosystems


Topic(s):
 

  • CE-SC5-03-2018: Demonstrating systemic urban development for circular and regenerative cities

Budget

€ 10 441 898.49 (EU contribution: € 9 989 576.97)

Responsible organisation and contact details

ICLEI European Secretariat GmbH (ICLEI Europasekretariat GmbH)

Contact the project: https://cityloops.eu/about/contact

Project consortium partners

  • Gemeente Apeldoorn
  • Bodo Kommune
  • Nordlandsforskning A/AS
  • Mikkelin kehitysyhtiö Miksei Oy
  • Kaakkois-Suomen Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy
  • Serviço Intermunicipalizado de Gestão de Resíduos Do Grande Porto
  • Empresa Municipal De Ambiente Do Porto
  • E.M.
  • S.A.
  • Municipio Do Porto
  • Region Hovedstaden
  • Roskilde Universitet
  • Gate 21
  • Roskilde Kommune
  • Hoje-Taastrup Kommune
  • Bygherreforeningen I Danmark (BID)
  • Ayuntamiento De Sevilla
  • Limpieza Pública Y Proteccion Ambiental Sa Municipal
  • Idener Technologies Sl
  • Ayuntamiento de Murcia
  • Consell Comarcal Del Valles Occidental
  • Acondicionamiento Tarrasense Associacion
  • Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat
  • Metabolism of Cities
  • Stichting Saxion
  • Stichting Wageningen Research
  • Empresa Metropolitana de Abastecimiento y Saneamiento de Aguas de Sevilla S.A.
  • Iris Produksjon A/S
  • Sustentepopeia Unipessoal Lda
Sectors

built environment, CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

including bio-based economy

Territories involved

large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000

Intra-territorial areas

e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial