BIO-LOOP ZH2050
A trigger strategy towards a circular economy based on the bio-based plastic industry in the region of Port of Rotterdam
C. Bechmann (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
S. Liu (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
E.E.J. Steenbergen (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
M. Zhang (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Lei Lei – Mentor (TU Delft - Spatial Planning and Strategy)
L.M. Calabrese – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Design)
Karel Van den Berghe – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Development Management)
Roberto Rocco de Campos Pereira – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Spatial Planning and Strategy)
Marcin Dabrowski – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Spatial Planning and Strategy)
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Abstract
Nowadays, circular economy is of growing importance in the social, economic, and environmental fields. The realisation happens on different scales. First steps towards a circular economy have already been taken, but it will take time before a circular world is reached. Also, under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the bio-based concept raises more awareness.
This strengthens the aim to create a circular economy. The industry in the Port of Rotterdam is mainly based on fossil-based industries that follow the linear system. Therefore, high emissions and waste are caused. This contradicts the aims of the SDG and the idea of a circular system. Consequently, the port area should be transformed into a flexible system that can adapt to changing future situations. This will be realized by a circular system that contributes to the development of the bio-based industry.
This transition is triggered by the current oil- and plastic industries taking place within the Port. By treating the bio-plastic industry as a trigger industry, a strategy for the transition towards a bio-based system is created. This leads to a circular economy that depends on bio-based materials. Since the bio-based system might face future challenges, it is important to guarantee further adaptation and self-improvement over time. The final goal is to create a closed-loop within the Port region to reduce emissions and waste products using these bio-based materials.
To close this loop, the Bio-Loop ZH2050 is integrated into the Port area. A Green Belt strategy promotes the circular economy within the province of South Holland, and by implementing the Living Labs, knowledge and technologies are improved over time. The Bio-Loop ZH2050 influences the aim of the province to become 100% circular by 2050 and several SDG topics. Environmentally, this project supports the transition towards a circular bio-based system and to reduce the impact of pollution and climate change. Socially, the Bio-Loop ZH2050 creates the possibility to get society involved in the bio-based circularity. And finally, economically, the Port of Rotterdam will become the port of Europe based on the bio-based economy, which is the entrance connecting the global market and EU market.