Urban Regeneration Strategies for Implementing the Circular City Model: The Key Role of the Community Engagement

In an increasingly urbanized world such as the one we are living in today, the future of humanity is closely linked to cities, as also highlighted by the United Nations. The challenges of sustainable development are concentrated in the cities and thus the way they are planned and managed impacts the quality of life of the citizens who live in them. In this framework, the circular city model can contribute to operationalize the principles of sustainable development. By leveraging urban planning in urban regeneration as a tool for change, cities can transform their processes from linear to circular ones. This study presents the results of the URBES (Urban Regeneration and Best Energy Saving for our Cities) Erasmus+ project, coordinated by Pegaso Telematic University (Italy). In particular, the aim of the paper is to identify project alternatives for the regeneration of four case studies in the circular city model perspective, highlighting the key role of the community engagement. To this end, a questionnaire has been developed for the community to support the decision-making process. In particular, this process has put schools at its heart, with the awareness of the key role of the community engagement and that the circular economy model can be successful if it is supported from the bottom up and, thus, if it is supported by a strong cultural base.