Sustainable Development of Urban and Environmental Planning for Circular Societies

Dear Colleagues,

The profound transition towards a circular economy has garnered significant attention in recent years as a promising solution with which to address pressing environmental challenges, promote economic prosperity, and enable a sustainable future. However, it is imperative to critically examine the true impact of circular economy strategies and their alignment with planetary boundaries, societal values, and systemic changes. We invite researchers, scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers to contribute to a Special Issue entitled "Sustainable Development of Urban and Environmental Planning for a Circular Society," which aims to delve into the intricate complexities of this transformative journey.

Background and Motivation

While circular economy policies and corporate strategies tout potential benefits, such as reduced pollution, enhanced biodiversity preservation, and mitigated climate impact, a growing body of evidence suggests that achieving genuine sustainability requires a more profound shift. The recent factor X publication, produced by the German Umwelt Bundesamt and entitled "The Impossibilities of the Circular Economy: Separating Aspirations from Reality" (UBA, 2023), challenges the prevailing narrative by shedding light on the limitations of current circular economy approaches. It underscores the necessity of acknowledging planetary boundaries and avoiding superficial efficiency-driven measures that could lead us toward a circular but not necessarily a sustainable future and society.

Scope of the Special Issue and Suggested Themes

This Special Issue seeks to explore the multifaceted dimensions of transitioning to a circular society, focusing on the intersection of urban and environmental planning, design, and sustainable development. We invite submissions that address the following key questions:

1. Value Shift and Systemic Change: How can the shift towards a circular society catalyse fundamental changes in societal values, economic paradigms, and design methodologies? What implications does this shift hold for fostering a just multispecies circular society?
2. Land Use Dynamics: To what extent have quantitative and qualitative land use changes occurred and are anticipated to occur due to the global transition towards circularity? Who are the beneficiaries and the disadvantaged stakeholders in this transition?
3. Quintuple Helix Approach: How can integrating academia, industry, government, civil society, and the natural world (biosphere) contribute to more effective and holistic planning and design processes for a circular society?
4. Data-Driven Environmental Planning: What role does data play in informing environmental planning and design for a circular society? How can data accessibility, openness, and utilization shape decision-making processes?
5. Operationalizing Circular Models: How can theoretical models of a circular society be translated into practical planning, design, and implementation strategies? What challenges and opportunities emerge in operationalising circular economy principles?

Dr. Alexander Wandl
Dr. Cecilia Furlan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• circular society
• urban and environmental planning and design’ land use dynamics
• transition