BASIC CONCEPT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY,AND URBAN PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

1.0 Introduction

Since year 1970, global resource use has more than tripled (System Change Lab). This has resulted in environmental and social harms ranging from biodiversity loss to human rights concerns in mining. This current system of economy which is regarded as ‘linear economy’ where materials are taken from the earth, used to make products and eventually thrown away as wastes (take-make-waste system) is gradually having wider consequences on the environment. It has been recorded that material resource extraction and processing accounts for over 55% of climate change impacts, about 40% of airborne particulate matter health impacts, 90% of water stress and 90% of land-use related biodiversity loss. If this system continues, by year 2060, the global resource use would have grown by 60% from what it was in 2020. This will likely pose serious threat to the existence of man on earth.

Therefore, in order to avert this impending danger, there have been calls from countries particularly in the European Union for the world to migrate to circular economy.

2.0 The Circular Economy Concept

The theme of April 2024 lecture is “The Circular Economy and Urban Planning”. This is a model of production and consumption which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. Practically, what this circular economy drives at is reducing waste to a minimum. When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy wherever possible through recycling and then can be productively used again and again, thereby creating further value.

It will interest us to know that although this system is championed by European countries, developing countries like Nigeria are in a strong position to take advantage of these opportunities because many of their large informal sectors already practice ‘circular’ activities, especially in areas such as electronic waste (e-waste) and phone repairs. In Nigeria for example, informal sector is about 58% of the country’s economy and this sector regularly is known to operate circular activities such as repair and reuse of products. Reusing repairing and recycling products would slow down the use of natural resources, reduce landscape and habitat disruption and help to limit biodiversity loss. These are important aspect of urban planning. Furthermore, another benefit from the circular economy is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

So by investing in circular economy, Nigeria can actually ‘leapfrog’ some developed countries in digital and materials innovation to embed low-carbon development, sustainable production, and consumption at the heart of our economy.

3.0 Focus of Discussion

This edition of our Monthly Lecture Series will aim to mainstream the concept of circular economy and its wide range of benefits to the environment and urban planning among Town Planners and allied professionals in the built environment. It will discuss among others, germane issues such as:

• The concept of the circular economy,

• Integrating circular economy principles into urban planning and management;

• Benefits of the Circular economy;

• The likely path for a smooth transition from linear economy to circular economy.

• Policies and plans that can help in formalizing the activities of the informal sector which is a major driver of the system;

• Efforts of all levels of Government in adopting the circular economy system;

• Impediments to adoption of circular economy concept in Nigerian environment.

We are hopeful that this lecture will help arouse the interest of professionals on the subject matter and importantly chart a course for global alignment.

basic concept of Circular Economy presentation (LAWMA ACADEMY) (6)NITP-Lagos April_2024_v2NITP LSC April Virtual Lecture Concept Note

4.0 Resource Persons

1. Guest Speaker 1: Tpl. (Dr.) Muyiwa Agunbiade, Associate Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos

2. Guest Speaker 2: Engr. Akinbulo Ayobami, Head, Recycling Central District, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)

3. Moderator: Hannah Balogun-Adebiyi, Deputy Head of Projects, Arctic Infrastructure.

4. Rapporteur: Tpl. Muyiwa Ojelade, Deputy Coordinator, NITP-YPF Lagos State Chapter