Can cities overcome capitalism? Circularity and solidarity for sustainable cities

Helsinki Environmental Humanities Forum, 22 February 2022, TUESDAY 14.00-15.30 (Helsinki time, Eastern European Time) via ZOOM

Register here for ZOOM link until February 21. Link will be shared shortly before the event.

Welcome to discussing alternative economies!

In this presentation, we will talk about how the ideas of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) can strengthen the social aspects of the circular economy in cities. With 50% of the world's population living in urban areas, and 60–80% of natural resources consumed in the urban context, cities are essential for a circular economy transition. This is a discussion of the research entitled “Filling the social gap in the circular economy: how can the solidarity economy contribute to urban circularity?”. 

In the presentation, we will analyze the various notions of SSE and their potential links with CE via a theoretical literature review and visualize how solidarity and circular economy could be linked together through three empirical case studies focused on CE- and SSE-driven urban development projects in Finland, Uruguay, and Spain. The presentation will specify which social solidarity economy ideas that could contribute to the vision for urban circularity and can enrich the social and cultural sustainability of CE.

Bios:

Raysa França, Tampere University

Erkki-Jussi Nylén, Tampere University

Ari Jokinen, Tampere University 

Pekka Jokinen, Tampere University  

CICAT2025 research group link