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

What a Waste 3.0: Global Trends, Data, and Solutions for Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Management Towards Circularity

16 September 2026, 8:00 ET

Discover the key findings of What a Waste 3.0, the World Bank's flagship report on municipal solid waste management, and explore its implications for sustainable cities
Related content
View all
Circular

COVID-19 Vaccination and Municipal Waste Management. Technical Brief

The report explains the unprecedented scale of COVID‑19 vaccination and outlines challenges to sustaining equitable, effective global immunization.
Knowledge Product

Learn more
Circular

Technical Guidance Report: Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Mountain Areas of India, Nepal, and Pakistan

Himalayan regions in India, Nepal, and Pakistan face fragile ecosystems and rising waste challenges; this report outlines phased solid‑waste solutions.
Knowledge Product

Learn more
Circular

City-level Assessment and Draft Service Improvement Plan for Solid Waste Management For Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City

The passage describes Nepal’s severe urban waste challenges and highlights successful performance‑linked pilots improving municipal waste management.
Knowledge Product

Learn more