The approach aims to transform the city of Roubaix by mobilising all local stakeholders to reduce waste production in an exemplary and inclusive project that promotes the city’s circular economy. The project also expects to contribute to developing employment, social cohesion and business in the region.

Since 2024, the Roubaix’s Ecological Transition Department made up of seven people has been dedicated to the development of circularity in local shops, businesses, households, schools and within the city administration.

Urban rural predominance

Predominantly urban

‘Low-tech and resource-efficient approaches to circular regeneration of Roubaix’

Roubaix is promoting a sustainable approach centred around the concept of circular transition at the local level. This approach includes being more frugal, practising environmental sobriety (consuming less and in a more environmentally friendly way) and adopting low-tech approaches. The pilot places a strong emphasis on sustainable practices that rely on simple, accessible and environmentally friendly technologies.

Prioritising resource efficiency, community engagement and resilience, the pilot aims to create a circular model for Roubaix regeneration. This comprehensive approach addresses multiple aspects and sectors, including housing, production methods, employment, the supply of resources, mobility and overall quality of life.

To achieve this, the city aims to implement a series of actions that include using resources efficiently, revitalising abandoned land and buildings, and fostering circular business models to stimulate the local economy.

Objectives

• Promoting the adoption of low-tech, circular and zero-waste practices in households and businesses, including in business models and in the buildings sector.
• Revitalising Roubaix through the creation of circular hubs, demonstrators, and urban farms.
• Expanding the development of industrial symbiosis initiatives.

Systemic nature

Roubaix’s circular systemic solution (CSS) exemplifies a holistic approach by engaging diverse sectors and stakeholders to drive a sustainable transformation. The solution extends across various domains, including cultural heritage preservation, buildings and construction, energy efficiency, sustainable land use, brownfield regeneration and industrial symbiosis. This cross-sectoral approach involves a wide range of stakeholders, such as public and private organisations, innovative businesses, academia and citizens.

The impacts of the CSS are substantial and include fostering socio-economic value through the creation of local jobs and businesses that prioritise environmental sustainability (evidenced by reduced GHG emissions and lower raw material consumption). Ultimately, Roubaix’s circular solution is contributing to revitalising urban areas with circularity and sustainability as its core guiding principles.

Expected impact

• Implement a circular and low-tech strategic approach including the development of circular hubs, demonstrators, urban farms and business models.
• Drive high stakeholder engagement and increase awareness among the community (i.e. citizens, associations, businesses, academic partners, local and regional authorities, among others).

Link to existing circular economy strategy and/or action plan

At the regional and local level, there is Roubaix’s Circular Economy Strategy for 2022–2026. The strategy supports the development of the circular economy in line with the Zero Waste strategy and aims to create an exemplary community that reduces the production of waste in the region.

This strategy is aligned with the objectives on industrial symbiosis, waste reduction, and economic development present in the following strategies and policies that shape Roubaix’s objectives and activities:

• Plan Climat
• Rev3
• COM'EIT - COMmunauté EIT des Hauts-de-France

Leading organisation

City of Roubaix

Unit/department/section

Ecological Transition Department

Participation in other relevant initiatives

• OECD programme for cities and regions (as a peer reviewer)
• Circular Cities Declaration
• Covenant of Mayors
• Rev3 (demonstrator)