Client
Mataró is the capital of the Maresme county with a population of 129.661 inhabitants, which makes it also one of the most populated cities in Catalonia.
The city has been one of the most relevant economic poles in Catalonia due to its specialization in the textile industry. Nonetheless, nowadays and since the mid-90s, its main economic activity revolves around the service sector, specifically, commercial and hospitality activities, real estate activities and sanitary services.
Mataró gathers several key ingredients that make it well-positioned to transform itself and accelerate further the circular transition: the city boasts the political leadership and will to transform itself, is situated in a unique territory that unites urban, industrial, agricultural, forested and maritime areas, and counts with a local ecosystem of diverse stakeholders that have already proactively driven circular iconic experiences and projects.
Challenge
Developing a circular economy strategy for the city of Mataró and its first action plan for 2022-2024.
What was done?
To develop the strategy, it was necessary to first identify the key elements and assets of the city, while considering the most important economic sectors. Then, a benchmark report of other European cities embarking on the circular journey was done to extract meaningful insights potentially useful for Mataró It was also important to elaborate a governance model to determine how the strategy will be managed and executed on a politician, technical and citizen level. . To polish the strategy, multiple interviews with key stakeholders were crucial, mainly with public administration employees, but also with companies and knowledge centers, so as to validate and align the approach, the circular vision, aspirations, courses of action and proposals of circular projects. A Material Flow Analysis (MFA) was also carried out to trace how key resources such as water, energy, products, materials or waste, flow across the city’s economy. This analysis resulted in a compilation of multiple macro indicators, through which it will be possible to monitor the progress. Additionally, a circular vision was outlined to help conceive the future we want for Mataró. Finally, a map of aspirations was created for the six sectorial focus areas (Food, Textile and Fashion, Other Consumer Goods, Built Environment, Healthcare and Commerce and Hospitality), which are further developed into specific courses of action.
To elaborate the first of circular economy action plan (2022-2024) for Mataró, several existing circular economy initiatives were identified, and 20 circular projects were designed and planned, of which the execution will be crucial to get started.
The inèdit team is one of the partners of the project together with the Fundació Fòrum Ambiental and the international organisation Circle Economy.
Results
1
Document of the Circular Mataró 2030 Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2024.
1
Document of the Material Flow Analysis (MFA)
20
New circular projects
Conclusions
The document ‘Circular Mataró 2030 Strategy’ offers a systemic and holistic perspective of the circular model that must pervade in Mataró in all six sectorial focus areas, which are established within the natural environment inside and outside the city’s limits. Additionally, four transversal areas are key to the strategy: digital transformation, stakeholder alignment, awareness-raising, training and entrepreneurship, and circular public procurement.
The document ‘Action plan 2022-2024 Circular Mataró 2030’ lays out the foundations to accelerate this circular transformation and activate stakeholder action across economic sectors.
The project has resulted in several new insights such as the circularity degree of the city. Additionally, it has established a framework based on a circular vision for the city, followed by a clearly defined sectorial focus areas, aspirations, strategic courses of action and key circular projects. The development of the strategy and action plan has simultaneously helped to contrast views and align action with multiple key stakeholders of the quadruple helix.
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