Finding land for the circular economy: territorial dynamics and spatial experimentation in the post-industrial city

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Abstract

The emergence of European-wide circular city agendas calls attention to the integration of circular economy (CE) policies in urban development trajectories. In post-industrial contexts like the Brussels Capital Region (BE), land scarcity and industrial gentrification pose significant challenges for emerging circular activities that do not conform to traditional economic valuation criteria. This article highlights the significance of land as a central resource and contested means for circularity transitions through qualitative research on cases of urban circular economy hubs. We propose a spatial approach for investigating these spaces, examining the influence of regional territorial policies, land value dynamics and the planning system. Resulting from these interplays are diverse forms of circular spatial experimentation, manifesting in three local pathways (i.e. anchoring, transitory and transformative). Public versus private land ownership, stakeholder expectations, and the dual role of public institutions are the primary drivers affecting the durability and socio-economic orientation of circular economy hubs in the city.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)699-715
Number of pages17
JournalCambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jun 2024

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to sincerely thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable feedback on earlier drafts of this article. This research has been supported by the VUB Interdisciplinary Research Programme funding (IRP7_b) for the project \u2018Re-building Brussels (1695-2025): the construction sector as an engine for social inclusion and circularity\u2019. Jasmin Baumgartner also acknowledges the support of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for the project \u2018Circularity, Construction, and the City. Embedding the circular construction economy in urban transitions\u2019 (Grant No. 11POR24N).

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved.

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