UCL and Delft University of Technology scale up circular economy collaboration

More than 60 UCL researchers and external guests engaged in the circularity field came together for the event at UCL East to hear a multi-disciplinary discussion on the circular economy.

The event was co-hosted by UCL Global Engagement and the UCL Circularity Hub, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London.

Chaired by Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), the panel included six circularity experts from UCL, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and industry.

Circularity is an increasingly urgent theme, with countries across Europe increasingly indicating the circular economy as a political priority. As the world faces more difficulties with getting enough resources and dealing with environmental damage, it is vital experts across academia, industry and government collaborate to develop and innovate circular practices and systems.

UCL and TU Delft, which have shared expertise in the circularity field across faculties, research, and teaching, signed a partnership agreement– ‘The Circular Partnership’–in December 2023. The aim of the partnership is to advance research and education in the areas of circular cities, circular built environment and circular economy through staff exchanges, doctoral student exchanges and joint research activities.

The panel discussion began with opening remarks from Daphne Blockhuis, Transport & Environment Attaché at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the UK and Professor Dirk van Gameren, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU Delft.

Daphne Blockhuis highlighted the Dutch government's ambition to achieve circularity by 2050, stressing "the essential role of academic research in meeting this goal." Professor van Gameren then commented on the numerous similarities in ambitions and ideals between UCL and TU Delft, noting how the event marked the start of a much deeper collaboration between the two institutions.

On the panel, representatives from UCL included Professor Joanna Williams (Professor of Sustainable Development, UCL Barlett School of Planning and Director of the UCL Circular Cities Hub) and Dr Carla Washbourne (Associate Professor, UCL Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy [STEaPP]).

They were joined by Professor Ellen van Bueren (Head of Department of Management in the Built Environment, TU Delft), along with panellists from organisations driving the transformation towards circularity: Nitesh Magdani (Founding Director of Net Positive Solutions and Head of EME UK), Pauline Metivier (Head of Business Transformation and Sector Support, ReLondon) and Andrea Charlson (Managing Director, Madaster UK).

The panel’s conversations centred around ‘Trends, Challenges and Future Solutions’ in circularity. They engaged in a Q&A session covering topics such as implementing circular practices in conflict environments, how industry and policy experts can feed into the research being generated by academics, repurposing existing infrastructure for alternative uses, the intersection of artificial intelligence and circularity and defining success in this context.

Following the discussion, guests enjoyed a networking drinks and canapes reception.

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) said: “If we are to solve the major environmental, social and economic challenges of our time, it is critical that we scale up the circular economy. Here at UCL, we are proud to play a role in catalysing this essential activity with our colleagues at TU Delft. We are very grateful to the Dutch Embassy for their invaluable support in making this event possible.”

The evening’s discussion formed part of a wider delegation from TU Delft to UCL, which included a series of academic workshops titled ‘The Circulars Series’. These workshops brought together researchers from The Bartlett, UCL's Faculty of the Built Environment, and TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, with the long-term aim of co-publishing a book exploring challenges and strategies for implementing circular urban systems.

The event also followed news that UCL is to partner a new UN-backed Centre of Excellence, tasked with developing new approaches to the circular economy and resource efficiency.

Links

• View more photos from the event
• UCL to play leading role in world’s first UN-backed centre for circular economy research
• Professor Geraint Rees’ academic profile
• Professor Joanna Williams' academic profile
• Dr Carla Washbourne's academic profile
• Delft University of Technology
• UCL Circularity Hub
• The Bartlett, UCL's Faculty of the Built Environment
• UCL and Europe
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