The guide helps cities to understand who to engage with and when, and brings clarity to the built environment value chain and to the circular strategies that can be applied in different stages of a building’s life cycle.

The guide allows cities and regions to understand every part of the built environment value chain to help cities fully understand the circular strategies that can be implemented. The guide also highlights the role of different stakeholders and how to co-create a circular ecosystem. Stakeholders involved in the value chain are, for example, architects, manufacturers, users, facility managers, waste management companies and regulators/legislators. Finally, the report ends with key recommendations and next steps. It is highlighted that public-private collaboration is essential to create a circular ecosystem. Public authorities can support innovations developed by SMEs/start-ups to catalyse innovation and contribute to expanding knowledge on urbanisation. Public authorities can also help boost knowledge and skills for urban environments by training employees and employers within city administration or promoting education skill-developing programmes. The guide gives an overview of city instruments that can be used in different stages of built environment projects. Creating a circular economy strategy is very important to ensure that the development of a Circular Systemic Solution (CSS) is in line with the prioritised focus areas. Furthermore, many of the levers and instruments provided can be used to help develop and implement CSSs.