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Scientific Article details

Title Circular Maker Cities: Maker Space Typologies and Circular Urban Design
ID_Doc 20442
Authors Elwakil, R; Schroder, I; Steemers, K
Title Circular Maker Cities: Maker Space Typologies and Circular Urban Design
Year 2023
Published Buildings, 13, 11
DOI 10.3390/buildings13112894
Abstract Maker spaces can contribute significantly to the circular economy of cities; they demonstrate not only the economic potential of inner loop circularity, but also provide tangible evidence of spatial and social integration of production into the urban context. This paper presents findings from a typological analysis of 326 maker spaces in seven European cities, with a focus on selected exemplar case studies to reveal design characteristics, principles, and opportunities for circular city development. The research shows that circular economy principles of 'reduce-reuse-recyle' are aligned with maker spaces such as repair cafes, secondhand shops, and fab labs, but requires additional definition with respect to material flow and spaces for recycling to underpin circular making. In the context of cities, circularity is revealed by a spatial tightening of resource cycles that close the loops of product life cycles. Furthermore, urban maker spaces demonstrate social engagement and a relationship to local production that inherently includes maintenance, repair, reuse, and redistribution. This paper defines five maker typologies, presents exemplars of each from different urban contexts and posits hybrid design strategies for the transition to circular maker cities. Through the adoption of these findings into urban planning policy, it is possible accelerate circular urban production and close the sustainability gap between small-scale local and large-scale regional manufacturing.
Author Keywords maker spaces; circular cities; urban manufacturing; circular economy; reuse; repair; craft; fabricate; distribute
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:001107934000001
WoS Category Construction & Building Technology; Engineering, Civil
Research Area Construction & Building Technology; Engineering
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/11/2894/pdf?version=1700459958
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