Upscaling circularity in urban area development: A qualitative study in ‘Circular Buiksloterham’

The city of Amsterdam is following the ambitions of the National Government to operate a fully circular economy in 2050. To do so, circular urban area development (UAD) must become standard. As a start, Buiksloterham is declared as a circular urban area development project by over twenty participating parties including the municipality of Amsterdam. This master thesis aims to give recommendations about upscaling circularity in UAD. The research question that is answered is: How can the municipality of Amsterdam scale up circular urban area development by learning from projects with high circular ambitions in Buiksloterham? The answers to this question take two main issues into account. A practical issue on the implementation and possibilities for circularity and a management issue for the municipality on how they should operate in projects with high circular ambitions. The practical issue is in this research substantiated with a literature study in circular strategies for urban area development. A framework of circular strategies is realised, to indicate, structure, and reflect upon circularity in the built environment. A case study in the urban area development Buiksloterham answers the question for the municipality. Upscaling circularity in UAD requires a combination of good policy and management from the municipality. Key elements are: provide clear image and information of the plans. Explain the different roles of the municipality. Learn from the implemented circular strategies and aim for implementing the strategies on a larger scale. Upscaling requires attention to the barriers experienced by the developers. Involve the developers in both the development of the public space as with the new developers, because they have intrinsic motivation, professional knowledge and much experience