Large research project towards circular area development

During the next two years, the LDE Centre for Sustainability and the Wageningen Research University will conduct research towards circular area development. Professor Ellen van Bueren (MBE) will lead the project, with De Binckhorst area in The Hague serving as a case study for the development of scientific understanding and practical tools. 

De Binckhorst area is part of the Central Innovation District in The Hague. In the research project, four main themes are researched by the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability: governance, the closing of cycles, business models, and citizen participation and community development. The Wageningen Research University will focus on the spatial and area coherence, and the integration of circular developments. 

The project is conducted in close collaboration with the stakeholders and is focussed on action, to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy. The research is financed with 1 million euros by ACCEZ, a knowledge and innovation programme of the province of Zuid-Holland, by businesses community of Zuid-Holland, and by the University of Leiden, Delft University of Technology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Wageningen Research University.  

The researchers involved are Ellen van Bueren and Karel van den Berghe (TU Delft), Benjamin Sprecher and Teun Verhagen (CML Leiden), Koen Dittrich, Lucas Meijs and Tim ’s Jongers (Erasmus University) and Marleen Buizer (Wageningen Research University).