Practice-based model for implementing circular economy: The case of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area

This paper questions how the implementation of the circular economy actually takes place and evolves over time, using the geographical example of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. This particular practice-oriented, regional focus is underexposed in the literature. Relying upon transition management literature, the analysis shows through five years’ action-research that a pipeline of tailor-made circular initiatives, all at varying speeds, was created and when successful, scaled up. This is visualised in a ‘practice-based model for implementing circular economy’, which specifies the four-phase model by Rotmans et al. (2001). By developing a scheme which represents the activities needed in each phase of the implementation process, Loorbach’s transition management cycle (2010) could be refined. Contrary to what Loorbach suggests, these activities largely follow not only a sequential order, but are also cyclic. Studies on similar initiatives in other regional contexts will allow for generalisation of the results gained in the study presented here.