DU.zirkulär

Pioneering Circular Economy Transformation in Duisburg's Urban Landscape

Picture Duisburg—a city in western Germany, home to the world’s largest inland port and a historic steel industry hub—emerging as a leader in the circular cities movement.

With the DU.zirkulär project we are launching a transformative effort in making sustainability a practical, everyday reality in the city of Duisburg. This initiative is set within a real-world laboratory in the city district Ruhrort, where innovative circular economy solutions are not only tested but also implemented and fine-tuned to foster an ecosystem of zero waste and sustainable urban development.

The overarching goal of DU.zirkulär is to position Duisburg, particularly Ruhrort, as a model for circular economy practices across urban landscapes. This ambitious project involves a collaboration of key stakeholders including Duisburg Business and Innovation (DBI), Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg (WBD), the city of Duisburg, GEBAG, and Zolitron.

These partners bring a wealth of expertise and are already collaborating on various circular economy topics, which enhances the project’s cohesion and impact.

The CSCP plays a central role, particularly in evaluating the project’s progress and outcomes. CSCP’s involvement ensures that the project’s strategies are underpinned by robust empirical data and community feedback, facilitating effective adaptations to meet community needs. The initial community engagement activities lay a solid foundation for subsequent phases, helping to shape strategic directions and implementation.

Strategies developed and tested as part of the project are intended to be scaled to other districts in Duisburg and potentially to other cities.

DU.zirkulär is part of the broader Circular Cities NRW initiative under the EFRE funding schemes in North Rhine-Westphalia. This funding programme aims to transform urban regions into circular economies, reducing environmental impact while fostering sustainable growth and innovation.