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External and Internal Barriers to Urban Circular Economy Transition in an Early Phase: The Case of Critical Raw Materials

Author

Listed:
  • Katri Valkokari

    (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland)

  • Päivi Petänen

    (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland)

  • Pekka Valkama

    (School of Economics, University of Turku & City of Helsinki)

  • Mona Arnold

    (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland)

  • Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko

    (Tampere University)

Abstract

This article contributes to expanding the literature on and understanding about urban circular economy (CE) transitions towards circular cities, with a particular focus on the circularity of critical raw materials (CRMs), by identifying barriers in the transition’s exploration phase. We collected our empirical research data from 7 Finnish cities by interviewing 14 administrative officers responsible for procurement and for CE development and strategies. According to our findings, financial, institutional, policy and regulatory, technical, knowledge, and social factors are both internal and external barriers that city governments face in preventing urban CE transition of CRMs. Our findings suggest that an overarching problem with the identified barriers is regarding knowledge. Furthermore, we argue that intervening in local transformation paths towards circular cities requires the understanding and development of multilevel interactions between actors and their possibly conflicting interests. This contributes to the current understanding of early phases of urban CE transitions, that is, how knowledge deficits between multilevel systemic urban CE transitions should be addressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Katri Valkokari & Päivi Petänen & Pekka Valkama & Mona Arnold & Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko, 2025. "External and Internal Barriers to Urban Circular Economy Transition in an Early Phase: The Case of Critical Raw Materials," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 1389-1417, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:5:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s43615-024-00458-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-024-00458-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cong, Rong-Gang & Thomsen, Marianne, 2021. "Review of ecosystem services in a bio-based circular economy and governance mechanisms," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    2. Martina JANUROVA & Marketa CHALOUPKOVA & Josef KUNC, 2020. "Smart City Strategy And Its Implementation Barriers: Czech Experience," Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(2), pages 5-21, May.
    3. Kirchherr, Julian & Piscicelli, Laura & Bour, Ruben & Kostense-Smit, Erica & Muller, Jennifer & Huibrechtse-Truijens, Anne & Hekkert, Marko, 2018. "Barriers to the Circular Economy: Evidence From the European Union (EU)," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 264-272.
    4. Max Russell & Alberto Gianoli & Stelios Grafakos, 2020. "Getting the ball rolling: an exploration of the drivers and barriers towards the implementation of bottom-up circular economy initiatives in Amsterdam and Rotterdam," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 63(11), pages 1903-1926, September.
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