MyAV·¶ and Delft University of Technology scale up circular economy collaboration
14 March 2024
MyAV·¶ Global Engagement co-hosted a panel discussion and networking reception on the theme of circularity with representatives from academia, industry and policy in the UK and the Netherlands.
More than 60 MyAV·¶ researchers and external guests engaged in the circularity field came together for the event at MyAV·¶ East to hear a multi-disciplinary discussion on the circular economy.
The event was co-hosted by MyAV·¶ Global Engagement and the MyAV·¶ Circularity Hub, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London.
Chaired by Professor Geraint Rees, MyAV·¶ Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), the panel included six circularity experts from MyAV·¶, 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.
MyAV·¶ and TU Delft, which have shared expertise in the circularity field across faculties, research, and teaching, signed a partnership agreementâ âThe Circular Partnershipââin 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 MyAV·¶ and TU Delft, noting how the event marked the start of a much deeper collaboration between the two institutions.
On the panel, representatives from MyAV·¶ included Professor Joanna Williams (Professor of Sustainable Development, MyAV·¶ Barlett School of Planning and Director of the MyAV·¶ Circular Cities Hub) and Dr Carla Washbourne (Associate Professor, MyAV·¶ 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 panelâs conversations centred around âTrends, Challenges and Future Solutionsâ 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, MyAV·¶ Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) said: âIf 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 MyAV·¶, 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.â
The eveningâs discussion formed part of a wider delegation from TU Delft to MyAV·¶, which included a series of academic workshops titled âThe Circulars Seriesâ. These workshops brought together researchers from The Bartlett, MyAV·¶'s Faculty of the Built Environment, and TU Delftâs 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 MyAV·¶ is to partner a new UN-backed Centre of Excellence, tasked with developing new approaches to the circular economy and resource efficiency.
Links
- MyAV·¶ to play leading role in worldâs first UN-backed centre for circular economy research
- MyAV·¶ Circularity Hub
- The Bartlett, MyAV·¶'s Faculty of the Built Environment
- MyAV·¶ and Europe
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