- Circular cities
- Energy
- Urban metabolism
Description
To achieve carbon neutrality, Quebec needs to find new sources of energy. Latent energy and energy efficiency "reserves" lie dormant in local communities. As centers of population, production and consumption, cities are at the heart of the energy ecosystem. Considering the presence of local synergies and "circularities" in energy needs, the "circular city" concept could offer opportunities to rethink and even optimize local energy flows. However, few methods or analysis tools exist to measure the extent of local energy "reserves" in Quebec. This project is the first step in a larger PhD project. This first stage aims to: carry out a systematic literature review on the circular city concept as applied to energy flows; develop a conceptual framework on the local energy ecosystem, and; illustrate it through case studies.
Affiliated research axes
Axis 1: Change and Transition Management
1.1 – Establish a reference framework for the circular economy1.2 – Conceptualize the intended transition to a circular Québec 2026–2050
Axis 2: Planning Optimization
2.1 – Support the development and use of tools to analyze and monitor the circular economy2.2 – Develop indicators to measure circularity
2.3 – Establish and maintain local, national and international circularity inventories
Axis 3: Resource and Product Maximization
3.1 – Map the knowledge and potential of product circularization3.2 – Develop a conceptual framework of tools that may be mobilized to identify better circularization scenarios for products, components and resources at the end of their life cycles
3.3 – Identify models for product circularization strategies
Axis 4: Policy levers
4.1 – Monitor new knowledge, create an inventory and carry out priority-setting exercises for levers and strategies4.2 – Foster effective circular economy governance
