Circular

Circular cities reduce waste and regenerate resources by rethinking production, consumption, and material flows. Through circular design, green construction, and sustainable urban systems, cities close resource loops, create green jobs, and lower environmental footprints.

 

Circularity redefines how cities use resources—shifting from a linear “take, make, waste” model to one that values regeneration and reuse. Circular cities minimize waste through smarter design, sustainable materials, and closed-loop systems for water, energy, and food. This approach reduces environmental impact, lowers costs, and stimulates local innovation and green entrepreneurship. Embedding circular principles into urban planning ensures that growth remains within planetary boundaries.

 

Explore more resources in the GPSC Knowledge Resources, featuring case studies, toolkits, and technical guidance from cities around the world. Use the filters and categories to navigate by theme or topic and find content tailored to your city’s priorities.

Upcoming Events
View all

Online

Urban Nature Program: Super‑Proximity in Practice, Delivering Urban Nature at Neighborhood Scale

17 July 2026, 14:30 CET

Discover how Paris delivers urban nature at neighborhood scale through green infrastructure, cooling strategies, and community-led approaches.
Related content
View all
Circular

India: Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Mountain Areas

India’s rapid growth increases waste generation, and this report outlines challenges, mountain‑area issues, and phased recommendations to strengthen solid‑waste management.
Knowledge Product

Learn more
Circular

Sludge to Energy: An Environment-Energy-Economic Assessment of Methane Capture from Sludge in Xiangyang City

The paper reviews Xiangyang’s sludge‑to‑energy system, showing how sustainable treatment technologies can help rapidly urbanizing cities manage growing wastewater byproducts.
Knowledge Product

Learn more
Circular

Best Practices and Lessons Learned: My Neighborhood Without Waste

Asunción lacks segregated waste collection, creating environmental and social challenges, while urban recyclers depend on unsafe recyclables for livelihoods.
Knowledge Product

Learn more