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Circular Economy Potential of Climate Change Adaptation in Cities: The Case of Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Korminouri, F. (2018) Circular Economy Potential of Climate Change Adaptation in Cities: The Case of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

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Abstract:With increasing populations living in metropolitan areas, it becomes crucial that raw materials and resources are used carefully, reused and recycled. At the same time, urban population and infrastructure are extremely vulnerable to climate change. To tackle climate change and decrease the vulnerability of cities to its impacts, climate change adaptation is considered as a promising solution. The consequences of climate change such as increasing frequency of heavy rainfalls, rising sea levels and rising temperatures will also be felt widely, particularly in coastal and delta cities. Adaptation to climate change in cities implies seeing the climate change challenges as an opportunity rather than a threat and making the city resilient and attractive through keeping it safe, livable and economically strong. The adaptation challenges rise with increasing severity of climate change. Integration of circular solutions at the city level promotes less material consumption, competitiveness in global markets and a cleaner environment. This research has two lines of inquiry. First, it reviews the climate change adaptation literature regarding the linkage between infrastructural adaptation measures in response to climate change. Second, the research focuses on the delta city of Rotterdam, where urban communities and assets are significantly exposed to the impacts of climate change. Specifically, climate change adaptation in Rotterdam is examined with regards to green and grey adaptation measures and the integration of circular economy, where it is feasible in these measures. This conceptual link is not apparent in the existing related literature, so this research aims to fill this gap by constructing a framework to analyse not only the infrastructural responses to climate change, but also the integration of circular economy in the current adaptation practices in response to climate change. The primary and secondary data were derived from desk research and interview with stakeholders. The study concludes with the climate change adaptation measures that have more potential to adopt circularity principles in terms of material and resource use and expanding the functions of measures, as well as the main existing drivers and barriers to this adoption. The research followed with recommendations with respect to drivers and barriers to show the improvement of circular economy approach in green and grey climate change adaptation measures Rotterdam.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:43 environmental science
Programme:Environmental and Energy Management MSc (69319)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/77475
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