Circular Spaces: Transforming urban areas through circular innovation
Circular Spaces: Transforming urban areas through circular innovation
Cities are at the frontline of the resource and climate crisis — and urban spaces must be reimagined if we are to build a truly circular economy.From technology parks and innovation hubs to public spaces, neighborhoods, and infrastructure systems, cities offer unique opportunities to embed circular principles into the way we design, build, and manage urban environments.
Berlin — with its vibrant ecosystem of innovation spaces, construction projects, and industrial sites — has a critical role to play. Circular urban development can shift cities from resource consumption toward resource regeneration, positioning them as living laboratories for circular innovation.At the same time, much can be learned from other cities already integrating circular practices into their urban fabric — offering valuable inspiration for Berlin and beyond.
The central question we will address:
How can we design and transform urban spaces where circularity becomes a key, integrated part of planning — and what tangible benefits can it bring to communities?
The topics to cover will explore:
- Urban Circularity in Practice: From reuse hubs and circular neighborhoods to energy-positive districts.
- Material and Product Innovation for Urban Areas: Advancements in circular building materials, urban construction practices, and waste-to-resource systems.
- Governance & Collaboration: How cities, businesses, communities, and innovators can work together to co-create circular spaces.
Speakers
Chantal Schöpp | Project Manager, Urban Futures & Circular Economy Team at Creative Climate Cities GmbH
Topic: Tools for Bringing Circular Economy into Urban Spaces
Janik Fechner | Project Lead, Project Development – Building Construction & Urban Development at Berlin TXL
Topic: Berlin TXL – Circular Concepts (real-life example)
Lucas Klinkenbusch | Managing Partner at the architecture office Zirkulaar
Topic: Transforming Urban Spaces through Circular Architecture – Insights from realised projects
Wulf Kramer | Managing Partner at City Decks
Topic: Circular Urban Products in Public Spaces – Adapting to Users’ Needs and Urban Realities
Moderators
Remi Laoubi, Electronics lead at Circular Berlin
Agenda
13:00 – 13:10 | Welcome & Introduction
13:10 – 13:20 | Chantal Schöpp: Tools for Bringing Circular Economy into Urban Spaces
13:20 – 13:30 | Janik Fechner: Berlin TXL – Circular Concepts
13:30 – 13:40 | Lucas Klinkenbusch: Transforming Urban Spaces through Circular Architecture
13:40 – 13:50 | Wulf Kramer: Circular Urban Products in Public Spaces
13:50 – 14:20 | Open Q&A & Interactive Discussion
14:20 – 14:25 | Next Steps & Closing Remarks
About the Project ‘Tech and Spaces for Circular Economy’
This webinar is organised as part of the ‘Tech and Spaces for Circular Economy’ project, led by Creative Climate Cities, Circular Berlin, and WISTA Management GmbH, addresses the challenges of implementing circular strategies. The project explores how innovations in optics, photonics, and materials sciences and spatial concepts can enhance and scale circular practices across industries.
Funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises part of the Master Plan Industrial City Berlin 2022 - 2026 (MPI), this initiative aims to drive resource-efficient production and manufacturing.
For more information on project goals, partners, and timeline, please visit our project webpage.
