ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces a theorisation of the circular urban transition process. Drawing from the sustainable urban transition literature, this chapter identifies the potential catalysts and barriers to the process of scaling up circular urban experiments. This fills a current gap in literature, where circular experiments have not been the focus. This chapter tests this theorisation in the case study area of Brixton (London, UK), using historical event analysis and deductive content analysis of stakeholder interviews. This chapter presents the results of that analysis. Brixton offers an example of a community-led, circular transition process, enabled by tactical urbanism. Circular tactical urbanism has facilitated the reuse of vacant sites and properties (thus avoiding wastage of land or materials) in Brixton. It has also provided space for low-value, circular activities – including a local circular food system, repair café, and community renewable energy generation – in an otherwise space-scarce environment. There is evidence of some of these experiments scaling up, causing realignment of the local regime. The research identifies some new catalysts for scaling up: a culture of activism, local symbiotic relationships, a positive narrative, and the availability of vacant land and property.
