Circular Cities and Regions

Cities and Regions

Cities are ever-evolving, complex ecosystems, and our understanding of them is an ongoing journey. We are committed to continually updating, enriching, and enhancing our urban knowledge, particularly in the context of sustainability. Our focus is on addressing the unique challenges of urban sustainability and circularity, which are rooted in the dense, diverse, and dynamic populations, activities, and spatial configurations that define our cities.

As the urbanist Jane Jacobs once said,

"Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody."

Underlining the importance of inclusive urban sustainability and the significance of the connection between regions and cities.

Our Mission

At Focus Area Cities & Regions, we serve as a catalyst for practice-oriented research and education that transcends traditional sectoral and disciplinary boundaries. We bring together researchers, students, and stakeholders from various urban domains to collaboratively explore innovative, inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.

Our Expertise

In the realm of Focus Area Cities & Regions, Leiden University, Delft University of Technology, and Erasmus University Rotterdam have joined forces. These institutions have a strong track record in addressing circularity from various perspectives—ecological, social, and technical, including material and resource flows. Cities & Regions builds upon this collective expertise. We continually explore new pathways within and beyond academia, pushing the boundaries of urban sustainability knowledge.

Circular Area Development

Shifting towards a circular urban economy

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The Doughnut Economy

A more radical approach to Brede Welvaart?

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Place-based & Transdisciplinarity

Exploring the potential of place-based approaches to guide spatial transformation processes.

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Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

We provide an entry point for individuals and organizations seeking to engage with LDE-researchers and students. Our aim is to foster the development and sharing of knowledge, innovative methods, and approaches. We encourage your active participation and, in doing so, connect you with like-minded individuals who share a passion for impactful urban knowledge production, all in the pursuit of more sustainable cities and regions.

We recognize that cities and regions are facing multifaceted challenges today. Therefore the thematic focus area of cities & regions is deeply interconnected with practical solutions through collaborations with partners that span university programs, governmental bodies, and market entities. We firmly believe in the interdependence of regions and cities, no longer viewing them as separate entities but rather as integral components of a larger whole.

Check out our current partners here