Originally started as a side project, Metabolism of Cities has over the years grown into a network of websites, backed by a non-profit (Brussels, Belgium), and run by different communities consisting primarily of volunteers. By providing an open source, community-led platform, Metabolism of Cities aims to improve the collection, sharing, and analysis of urban metabolism data and tools.
As a non-profit, Metabolism of Cities seeks to support the initiatives that are set up by the community. These initiatives, listed in our Projects section, can vary from a short-term exhibition, to a multi-year effort to catalogue and share data. Some projects involve on-the-ground intervention, whereas others revolve primarily around a digital platform. Some of the signature platforms run by Metabolism of Cities include a Data Hub, Library, Education Hub, and a Multimedia Library. Some key “on the ground”, in-person projects include a set of Master classes, an Urban Metabolism & Minorities project, a Seminar series, and the CityLoops project.