Circular Urban Development and Stakeholder Interaction in Buiksloterham, Amsterdam

Abstract

As cities seek to transition to a sustainable and resilient future, the concept of circular urban development (CUD) has come forward as a promising transformative planning paradigm. While technical innovation and sustainable goals dominated the discourse of the circular economy (CE), the social dimension, in particular the role of stakeholder participation, is increasingly addressed. This thesis research explores how CUD in Buiksloterham, a pioneering neighbourhood in Amsterdam, supports the participation of stakeholders in the transition towards a circular city. Based on the theoretical framework of Paul Lachapelle (2008) for the sense of ownership, this thesis researches how trust, participatory processes, tangible results, and justifiable equity shape the participation of stakeholders. The results show that while Buiksloterham supports participation, it limits equitable participation by structural barriers such as institutional fragmentation, limited inclusivity, and market dominance. This study concludes that CUD can support the participation of stakeholders on a meaningful basis if co-production and knowledge are embedded into governance structures illuminating systematic inequalities. The case of Buiksloterham offers both a promising example and a warning story: Participation in circular urban development should be invited and needs to be empowered, sustainable, and equally distributed.