Track 5e. Circular economy, industrial ecology
(resource management and sustainable regional economic development)
Track Chairs:
Donald Lyons. Department of Geography, University College Cork, Ireland.
Pauline Deutz. Department of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, University of Hull, UK.
Contacts: p.deutz@hull.ac.uk; d.lyons@ucc.ie
Goals and objectives of the track
It is now well documented that various forms of industrial ecology (IE) and circular economy (CE), including industrial symbiosis (IS) exist across the world. They have been incorporated at a variety of policy levels from local to international, and in a variety of forms from top-down government mandates to bottom-up independent programs; from planned eco-industrial parks to self-initiated synergies and facilitated and coordinated networks. Given the variety of these practices, debates continue among researchers concerning the nature and definition of IE and CE. Any comprehensive theory must account for the diversity found in practice, where culturally and regionally specific industrial manifestations and general business milieu result in different forms. In particular, continued debate over the theoretical and practical strengths and weaknesses associated with different definitions and boundaries can be assessed against growing volume and scope of empirical research. In this session, we hope to add to these debates and deepen our understanding of the range of IE-related activities as an emergent industrial practice.
Contributions from the followings areas are sought-after:
- The role of social embeddedness and institutional capacity in the formation and growth of IS and CE;
- The importance (or lack thereof) of geographical proximity, scale economies, and waste types;
- Comparative case studies that elucidate various dimensions of IE and CE;
- Quantifying the specific environmental and economic benefits of IE and CE;
- The importance of ‘short mental distance‘and communication for successful IE and CE practices;
- Bilateral versus network linkages;
- Governance structures as an impedement or support for the development of IE and CE.
Other contributions can also be explored.
You may submit your abstract by visiting the Ex Ordo abstract submission system (you will be required to setup an account first): http://isdrs2016.exordo.com/