ABSTRACT
In line with increasing attention on place-based development, the focus is shifting to a circular city approach that embeds the principles of a circular economy across all of its functions by establishing an urban system that is regenerative and restorative by design. This shift is being enabled by technological innovation, significantly lower environmental impacts than international circular economy examples due to fewer and simpler transport and logistics requirements, improved coordination and collaboration tools such as provided by information and communications technology (ICT) and, perhaps above all, innovative market/business models and improved governance mechanisms. In line with these trends, this chapter first provides a representative overview of extant strategies for the circular city that are relevant for place-based monitoring and evaluation, thereby illustrating both the strengths and weaknesses of the current situation. It then examines some of the issues influencing changes in place-based development during, and in the aftermath of, the Covid-19 pandemic and other ongoing trends that are relevant for evaluation strategies at this scale. Next, a detailed example of how to fill some of the gaps identified is provided in the form of proposals for monitoring, evaluating, and measuring the circular city food system.
