New research from Glasgow Caledonian University investigates how “circular cities” could provide a sustainable response to the increasing challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and urbanisation. This approach promotes recycling, reusing, and reducing waste within urban environments to create more resilient and eco-friendly cities.
The study, carried out by Professor Craig Thomson, Associate Dean of Research at Glasgow Caledonian University’s School for Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, focused on integrating circular economy principles into urban planning to create cities that are more efficient, eco-friendly, and resilient.
At the heart of a circular city is the concept of minimising waste by reusing materials and designing systems that prioritise resource efficiency. Unlike traditional urban planning, which often leads to waste and overconsumption, circular cities aim to continually recycle materials, reducing the need for new resources.
Professor Thomson emphasised that circular cities are not separate from sustainability goals but offer a more “practical and focused” approach.
In his research, Professor Thomson used Glasgow as a case study to demonstrate how circular strategies can be implemented.
He said:
“Glasgow, with its large amount of vacant land due to its post-industrial past, presents a prime opportunity for adopting these principles. The city’s efforts to reuse and repair old buildings align with the circular model, but more work is needed to link strategic policies with local, on-the-ground actions. Tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) could help visualise how circular practices can be applied across different areas of the city.”
A key finding of the research is that circular city strategies should work at multiple levels, from citywide policies to neighbourhood and building projects.
Professor Thomson said: “Cooperation across different sectors and scales, including government and community groups, is essential for success. By focusing on how people live and interact in urban environments, this research highlights the importance of involving local communities in planning processes to ensure circular practices meet their specific needs.
“This work contributes to the growing understanding of how cities can transition to circular models. It shows that, with the right strategies and collaboration, cities such as Glasgow can reduce their environmental impact and create more liveable, resilient spaces.
“The future of sustainable urban living may lie in circular cities, where resources are reused, and economic and social goals align with environmental priorities.”
The research was initially developed from Carlos Sotos’ dissertation. Carlos, who is a graduate from the first cohort of the MUrCS programme, now works as Partnerships Manager at Sustrans. The MUrCS programme is a two-year mobility-based degree, funded by ERAMSUS +, allowing students to study at Glasgow Caledonian, LAB University of Applied Sciences in Finland, and the University of Huelva in Spain. The sixth cohort of students has just started the programme.