The original objective of this research was to question how it is possible to use the urban metabolism framework in order to implement and make the principles of circular economy in the Brussels Metropolitan Region operational. The idea was not to limit this study to data collection and analysis exercises but also to see how the metabolic flows at a regional scale could provide some insights at the local scale. In addition, it was important to create a vision and a narrative behind the metabolic flows assessment and the identification and proposal of circular economy strategies for local stakeholders. This is why three specific sites all along the canal zone of Brussels were identified, namely: Birmingham, Masui and Buda, where it was possible to arrange a new metabolic strategy.

The research took place in the context of the Atelier Brussels – The Productive Metropolis, one of the ateliers of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam 2016 (IABR-2016): The Next Economy

Source: FABRICations