This handbook intends to serve as a stimulus and an incentive for strategic planning at the urban level, especially carried out by public authorities, but also supported by the regional and the national level. With a wide review and analysis of good practices of urban re-use, cities may learn about the different solutions that can be adopted, taking into account their specific urban features.
This handbook is divided into four sections. The first chapter offers a background overview, and outlines the vision and definitions of a circular city. In the second chapter, readers are provided with a framework for an urban circular re-use, while chapter 3 mainly focuses on models and tools for urban circular re-use. Finally, chapter 4 presents examples of multi-level governance elements of circular strategies. After the conclusions and future perspectives, the handbook also offers four appendixes with examples of existing best practices in European cities.
Property owners, local authorities, non-profit organisations, and citizens interested in sustainable development and community engagement may be interested in initiatives focusing on reusing unutilized urban spaces for regeneration and resilience in European cities. Involving the media in the communication and, in particular, in the storytelling of the regeneration process of unused spaces and buildings is the first step in making citizens an active part of change. Informing citizens on the decision-making process is crucial to sensitise them and to promote re-use and regeneration as keystones for urban development.
Overall, this handbook can be a useful tool to lay the foundations for an overall strategy that looks at a new model of urban re-use management following the principles of the circular economy. In fact, disused and underutilised spaces and buildings in all European cities can become opportunities for new jobs, the promotion of a collaborative economy, social innovations and start-ups.
