Resourceful Cities, circular transition stories from 9 European cities

The URBACT RESOURCEFUL CITIES network consists of 9 European cities seeking to accelerate the circular transition by developing the next generation of urban resource centres.

Urban resource centres strive to promote positive economic, environmental, and social impacts, with a focus on circular economy. They can serve as catalysts for the local circular economy by adopting a participative and integrated approach. And they are connection points for citizens, new businesses, researchers, and the public sector to co-create new ways to close resource loops locally. By bringing together relevant actors, our goal is to promote a change in values and mindsets.

In 2019 nine cities embarked on this journey to develop the next generation urban resource centres as part of their circular transition. The city partners went through a intense program of exchange and learning on issues of waste prevention, reuse, repair, recycling and on urban resource centre business models and associated services.Now these nine cities want to share their stories with a wider audience and showcase their local practices. The event will end with a site visit to the Mechelen Impact Factory.

Visit the URBACT website for more information about our network.

Draft programme

13:30 – 14:00 Arrival, registration & coffee

14:00 – 14:10 Opening and welcome, Alderman Greet Geypen, Responsible for Economy and Urban Development, City of Mechelen

14:10 – 14:25 Setting the scene, Jan Harko Post, Lead Coordinator of the URBACT Resourceful Cities Network, City of The Hague

14:25 – 15:05 Showcasing the impact of Urban Resource Centres (URC), followed by Q&A

• Kristine Einbu, Environmental Engineer at the Department of Waste Management in the City of Oslo

• Iwona Mąkolska-Frankowska, Head of the European affairs and development planning department, City of Opole

• Michaël Brevet, Policy Advisor, Waste and Resource, City of The Hague

Moderator: Eileen Crowley, URBACT Lead Expert, Resourceful Cities

15:05 – 15.50 Nuts and bolts Part I of the Urban Resource Centre: Exploring URC development and operational models

• Kristine Einbu, Environmental Engineer at the Department of Waste Management in the City of Oslo

• An Eijkelenburg, Stadmakersfond

• Julie Poppe, Circular Economy Programme Manager, City of Mechelen

• Stephane Vanden Broeck, Unizo Antwerp (entrepreneurs association)

Moderator: Eileen Crowley, URBACT Lead Expert, Resourceful Cities

15:50 – 16:05 Coffee break

16:05 – 16:35 The Urban Resource Centre – promoting circular consumption, waste prevention, re-use and circular resource management

• Sabrina Lindemann - how do you build your ecosystem in a relatively small area - not just individuals but also academia, business and the public sector

• Stefan Vanouytsel, Head of Engaged Research – mobilising public participation as consumers and producers of the circular economy

• Jan Larosse – citizen as consumer – share/repair

Moderator: Eileen Crowley, URBACT Lead Expert, Resourceful Cities

16:35 – 17:15 Panel discussion: Supporting the circular transition

• Mariana Boadella, Councillor for Sustainability and Agenda 2030, City of Ciudad Real

• Augusto Lima, Councillor for the Economics, Entrepreneurship and International Relations Department, Vila Nova de Famalicão

• Patrick Princen, Alderman & Deputy Mayor, Climate, Biodiversity and Citizen Engagement, City of Mechelen

• Kieran McCarthy (member of the Committee of the Regions and rapporteur for the topic of ‘Resourcing Small Cities for a Just Transition’)

• Marcelline Bonneau, URBACT Programme Expert

Moderator: Eileen Crowley, URBACT Lead Expert, Resourceful Cities

17:15 – 17:45 Signing the Memorandum of Understanding and press conference

17:45 – 18:45 Tour of the Impact Factory

18:45 - 19:30 Networking reception

URBACT Resourceful Cities is an official side event of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2022.