Circular economy approach in revitalization: an opportunity for effective urban regeneration

Abstract

The paper seeks to identify challenges and present opportunities the cities can take from applying circular economy (CE) based solutions in revitalization processes. In particular, the analysis focuses on revitalization areas and activities, which open up natural opportunities for implementing such CE based solutions. Successful examples of revitalization efforts undertaken in European cities
illustrate and confirm the appropriateness and purposefulness of restoring degraded urban areas by transforming them into circular districts. For the purpose of the paper we conducted desk research and analysed the following sources: (1) subject matter literature, which we subjected to critical analysis; (2) reports and expert opinions drawn up by European and global institutions and organisations; (3) strategic documents of cities, which apply the CE idea in their revitalization efforts. The paper is the first attempt undertaken on grounds of Polish subject matter literature to combine CE related activities with urban regeneration.