Abstract
Rapid urbanization, consumption, and linear methods of production have led to economic growth all over the world. While sustainability practices have been emergent for the last 40 years, through a variety of evolving concepts including green economy, shared values, and life cycle thinking; there have been continuous shifts in the approach, strategy, and development of creating more sustainable cities through development of circular cities and economies. As a member of the Circular San Antonio Copenhagen Sustainability Delegation, we explored both Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden’s intricacies of circularity built in the environment and groundbreaking sustainable urban design initiatives. As our world continues to rethink sustainability best practices, so must our approach to public policy that defines the ability to create and maintain sustainable lifestyles within cities. By 2050, at least 7 out of 10 people will live in a city: exasperating the need for accessible infrastructure, transportation, workforce development, housing, and public education. To prepare for the constant growth and demands of a global economy, cities must think differently about how they are designing infrastructure, housing, and waste management for citizens with limited supply, growing waste, and a changing economy that will have to solve problems that do not presently exist. There are major implications, particularly for marginalized communities that in the current state of the economy - are combatting houselessness, being underemployed, and being under-skilled. Policy must serve as the container for sustainable best practices to establish circularity to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
Presenters
Tamira SamuelNational Co-Executive Director, The Urban Leaders Fellowship, Texas, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Sustainability, Policy Development, Social Impact, Circular Economy, Circular City, Equity
