London Infrastructure Plan – Circular Economy 27th Nov 2014
Setting the Vision : An infrastructure plan can foster the creation of a sustainable smart city by: - Identifying an attractive society that is appealing to investors and entrepreneurs (for recycling products, collection and disposal etc.). - Adapting current ‘traditional’ infrastructure. - Optimising infrastructure efficiency through communication networks within the community. - Developing local solutions and sustainable choices through smart city efficiency and integration. Remanufactured items that people want
“
Local solutions within local networks ”
Local innovation opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors
We need to consider what people want – ‘demand-side’ •
• •
Whereas the technologies to develop smart cities are readily available and constantly improving, making use of them can be frustrated by technical, social and administrative challenges. Everett Rogers identified the types of challenges that exist in the societal adoption of new ideas and technologies in Diffusion of Change (1962). For Rogers the diffusion of innovative ideas of technologies is a process that occurs through communication channels within social networks.
Create a series of demonstration trials,
Trials should demonstrate links to Existing technology
Showcase demonstration projects
Develop infrastructure
The Infrastructure Plan can develop sustainable changes • Rogers identifies effective communication as a central condition for facilitating change within society. – Smart services within cities and infrastructures cannot develop without collaboration. – The Infrastructure Plan has the potential to be used as a means to develop communication channels within a smart city/increase collaboration, i.e. promoting green entrepreneurs as enablers and generating a focus on community benefit Develop communication channels
Working with groups social networks with community leaders
Enable people to own and develop
Our Main Considerations • The development of London’s infrastructure up to 2050 and how this will be funded • Meeting the needs of a growing population which will place an ever increasing burden on the supply of resources and waste management • The huge potential a circular economy has in reducing demand for virgin materials and the amount of discarded materials • Overhauling the current system of inefficient waste collection and recycling in order to create an efficient reprocessing infrastructure • Increasing collaboration between business and government to deal with resource risk • Encouraging business to design products that allow constituent parts to be easily recovered • Incorporating SMEs’ innovative flair when planning for a sustainable future manufacturing economy
Event Agenda Introduce the elements of the Mayor’s vision and test the elements of the vision with in-depth scenarios
Arrival and Breakfast Introduction and objectives David Fell – Flexible Infrastructure
Short, sharp download of information: thoughtprovoking speakers provide a point of view to small groups.
Provocation Sessions Green Entrepreneur s& Recycling – Colin Crooks
Using our Infrastructure – Dustin Benton
Better Living in a Resource Efficient LDN – Sue Riddlestone
Cities as the Front-Runners of the Circular Economy – Andrew Morlet
Funding a Circular Economy – Francesca Medda
Participants have the opportunity to visit each speaker Wrap up in plenary to get reaction from the group
Workshops: Exploring the London Infrastructure Plan Upping the Demand – David Fell & Sue Riddlestone
Boosting Collection – Dustin Benton & Andrew Morlet
Remanufacturing – Colin Crook & Francesca Medda
Transport & Freight – Richard Timmerman & Hugh Smith
• Each team reports back their thinking in plenary
• For each scenario: • • •
Overview & Feedback
What does the future look like? What interdependencies are there? What needs to be solved?
Identify actionable next steps and define who needs to be involved
The Provocations Green entrepreneurs and recycling - Colin Crooks People’s attitudes and behaviours, employment opportunities in going green, community engagement, quality recyclate
Updating our infrastructure - Dustin Benton Reconfigure London to grow radical circular economy industries like bio-refining & advanced remanufacturing
Better living in a resource efficient London - Sue Riddlestone Manage London’s consumption based carbon emissions with smart solutions
Cities as the front-runners of circular economy - Andrew Morlet Circular economy as a restorative and regenerative model
Funding a circular economy - Francesca Medda London Infrastructure Plan and support of a circular economy
Values that underpin our vision “We need to make use of the infrastructure that we have ”
Technology will radically change over the next 10 years and we need to prepare to adapt
More grassroots approaches and more residents engagement and involvement at an early stage “We need a practical long-term approach”
“Promoting the production of remanufactured items that look nice, that are functional and equally affordable ” We need to be able to value our waste
We must be flexible in our approach
Create waste trading hubs
Encouraging business to move towards a manufacturing process that relies on the use of recycled and refurbished products as a source of raw materials in order to reduce demand on virgin materials
How can an infrastructure plan support a circular economy?
Upping the demand
Boosting Collection
Remanufacturing
Transport and Freight
• How can the infrastructure plan encourage use of recycled products? • What role can business and consumers play? • How can we boost shared or rented goods?
• How can the infrastructure plan encourage use of recycled products? • What role can business and consumers play? • How can we boost shared or rented goods?
• How can the infrastructure plan encourage use of recycled products? • What role can business and consumers play? • How can we boost shared or rented goods?
• How can the infrastructure plan encourage use of recycled products? • What role can business and consumers play? • How can we boost shared or rented goods?
Upping the Demand Questions we asked
Our concern
• Which part of plan can be challenged? • How will infrastructure plan contribute to households and business? • What should we be doing with construction waste? • Do consumers have to own all-new goods? • How can we boost shared/rented goods?
The infrastructure plan should encourage use of recycled products and construction materials. Demand for this can be raised with the help of a strong Plan, but there are hurdles to overcome.
What the plan could do:
Review standards
Now
Rename ‘waste management’ to ‘resource management ‘
2016
•Generate focus on community benefit (e.g. sharing resources, multi-function buildings) and make people more aware of networks, champions and opportunities •Move from assets to services. Technology enables ‘lease/loan’ services ensuring high re-use rates •Increase knowledge of waste trading hubs and infrastructure to reuse construction materials •Re-adapt or use existing infrastructure, reuse construction waste for new projects Create opportunities for Create pilot investors & entrepreneurs waste trading Reuse, sharing economy hubs business and domestic
2020
•Go beyond ‘hopefully green entrepreneurship’ to positive deliberate promotion of green entrepreneurship. •Create a Reverse Logistics system – e.g.: a scheduled truck that comes in the neighbourhood to collect WEEE waste •Examples included: Incentivising Business ‘Zero Business Rates for Zero Business Waste’ / Prizes to encourage innovation and entrepreneurs / New Standards
Exemplar waste logistics centres linked to deliveries
Create a network of trading hubs/ sharing economy
2050
Boosting Collection Questions we asked
Our concern Recycling is more than just boosting collection as it is the most visible step for everyday Londoners. Collection and storage needs to be boosted for an increasing and increasingly ecoconscious populace. Where should we put facilities and how do we discourage superficial localism?
What the plan could do: “I want to be able to apply for permission to the local authority to collect coffee grounds for a new business idea” Participant at the event Standardise collection & Include community incentives linked to a carbon target.
Now
• • • • •
How can we support greater recycling through planning? How can we create resilience and flexibility against the unknown? How can we include best practices from other congested cities of the world? How can we support small enterprises? How do we reward companies for working on problems and improving the situation? How can we prioritise space for recycling plants? How can we open up collection of domestic reusable waste?
•Standardised collection & transportation of waste to central depots • Cost savings for local authorities to be highlighted to engage community spirit • Promote green entrepreneurs as enablers; replace current system of superficial localism by relaxing legislation regarding the recovery and recycling of domestic waste •Raw materials’ price volatility and nonconsistent flow to be used as an incentive to join the circular economy
Review local authority contracts to be more flexible with community reward
2016
• •
Create collaborative opportunities for investors & entrepreneurs linked to reuse
2020
•Create carbon based recycling targets, not weight •Modify current practice of setting long-term contracts by local authorities •Incentivise people participation in collection •Manufacturers to take back and re-use packaging materials & containers • Identify and prioritise space for recycling plants • Zero business rates for zero business waste
LWARB to Create London wide brokerage for rrecyclate
LWARB to oversee pilot resource depots
Integrate manufacturing process with disposal 2030
Remanufacturing Questions we asked
Our concern •Supply problems •Appropriate sites for remanufacturing are costly in London •Getting licenses to remanufacture •Priority for setup of re-use and recycling plants in London, not just housing projects
What the plan could do:
• • • • •
How do we make sure that we get good secondary materials? How can we create resilience against the unknown How can the integrate with existing collection and disposal systems? How can we get a strong market for our products ? How do we reward companies for working on problems and improving the situation?
•More localized premises and workshops for waste remanufacturing •Legislation for small businesses to obtain expedient finance for remanufacturing waste materials •New local financial instruments to address variant needs across London •Prizes and awards given for the best reuse or recycling of waste materials •Crowd-source technology expertise to
provide broadband access in eco friendly and energy efficient format •Support communications strategy linked to strong marketing for remanufactured products
Prizes and awards given for Create opportunities Create waste trading Develop standards the best reuse or recycling of for investors – local hubs linked to for depots and waste materials finance incentives. collection depots with trading hubs financial incentives 2016 2020 Now
Localised premises and workshops for waste remanufacturing
2050
Transport and Freight Our concern
Questions we asked •
We need to make use of what we already have as we invest in and protect transport infrastructure. Can this be done via collaboration between transportation partners?
What the plan could do:
• • • • •
• Extensive network of canal and river freight; Thames and canals to play bigger role • Long term contracts to be flexible to changes based on outcomes •Fiscal incentives to reduce delivery vehicles, promote last minute delivery/distribution • Local solutions to make easy sustainable choices • More bridges on Thames towards East
Long term contracts to be Develop local solutions to flexible to changes based make easy sustainable on outcomes choices – pilot local hubs for remanufacture and collection
Now
2016
How can we protect the value of recyclables during transport How can we create resilience and flexibility against the unknown Include best practices from other congested cities of the world How can we support small enterprises? How do we reward companies for working on problems and improving the situation? How can all this be achieved without increasing emissions?
2020
Cross investment between sectors to increase links for infrastructure
London • Cross investment between sectors to increase links for infrastructure e.g. energy company investing in transport • Move towards polycentrism to provide relief from congestion • Consider Aviation industry on the advisory board • Consider ways to counter the prevalence of superficial localism amongst councils
Create sustainable north –south links in East London esp for rail freight.
Move towards polycentrism ( local hubs) to provide relief from congestion
2050
Policy Implications for the LIP Delivery Board Makeup of the Board
Policy Changes
• Community members • Academic experts and independent representatives would provide innovation for new systems • Representatives from Small to Medium Enterprises • Voluntary sector
•Review all policies and contracts to make sure longterm decisions are flexible and able to change for new circumstances •Review planning policies so new and innovative ideas regarding housing, collection and transport can be implemented swiftly •Create standard collection to ensure clean and useful recyclates that will encourage investment whilst allowing for entrepreneurs to collect domestic waste •Create wider collaborations – solving energy waste and carbon and air quality problems with competitions •Increase knowledge of waste trading hubs and infrastructure to reuse construction materials • Protect existing recycling spaces and facilities
Timeline for Key Solutions Now
2016
2020
2050
More community and independent reps. on the LIP board
Create opportunities for investors & entrepreneurs
Cross investment between sectors to increase links for infrastructure
Move towards polycentrism to provide relief from congestion
Long term contracts to be flexible to changes based on outcomes
New carbon based targets
Cross investment between sectors to increase links for infrastructure
Localized premises and workshops for waste remanufacturing
Prizes and awards given for the best reuse or recycling of waste materials
Develop local solutions to make easy sustainable choices
A London living rent New carbon based targets Create opportunities for investors & entrepreneurs
Integrate manufacturing process with disposal
Rename ‘waste management’ to ‘resource management’
Review local authority contracts to be more flexible
Adapt current infrastructure
Local trading hubs/ sharing economy
Standardise collection & Include community incentives
Create opportunities for investors – local finance
Timeline for Key Solutions Now Upping the Demand
1) Review standards 2) Rename ‘waste management’ to ‘resource management ‘
Boosting Collection
1) Standardise collection & Include community incentives linked to a carbon target.
2016 2) Create pilot waste trading hubs
2020 1) Exemplar waste logistics centres linked to deliveries
2050 1) Create a network of trading hubs/ sharing economy
3) Re-adapt or use existing infrastructure 1) Review local authority contracts to be more flexible with community reward
1) LWARB to Create London wide brokerage for recyclate
2) Create collaborative opportunities for investors & entrepreneurs linked to reuse
2) LWARB to oversee pilot resource depots
1) Integrate manufacturing process with disposal
Timeline for Key Solutions Now Remanufacturing
1) Prizes and awards given for the best reuse or recycling of waste materials
2016
2020
1) Create opportunities for investors – local finance incentives.
1) Create waste trading hubs linked to collection depots with financial incentives
2050 1) Localized premises and workshops for waste remanufacturing
2) Develop standards for depots and trading hubs
Transport and Freight
1) Long term contracts to be flexible to changes based on outcomes
1) Develop local solutions to make easy sustainable choices – pilot local hubs for remanufacture and collection 2) Cross investment between sectors to increase links for infrastructure
1) Create sustainable north –south links in East London especially for rail freight.
1) Move towards polycentrism ( local hubs) to provide relief from congestion
Attendee response to the Plan “We need to find solutions that address the problem and not the symptoms of the problem” “The Infrastructure Plan is in real danger of just doing more of the same” “There is a worry that perfectly well-informed people who should have more input are being given the chance to put in their comments but the feeling is that these may not actually be being taken into account” “The economy depends on persuading people to buy new stuff – there isn’t any incentive for people to reuse and recycle” “There is an incredible need for the people in power to look at how to get organisations to work more closely together” “It’s interesting, the degree of change in terms of behaviour that happens when people understand very simply the implications for their everyday life” “I have no doubt that we will solve all of these problems that we’ve identified, but what I’m worried about is how we solve them”
Thank you to our attendees Participants aged 21 to 65+, representing organisations including: Beam Creative Bioregional Birkbeck Brixton Remakery CIBSE CIWM Close the Door campaign Community by Design Croydon Council
Evelyn Oldfield Hayes Community Development Forum Heathrow ISWA Jacobs Lambeth Green Party Lets Link London London Fire Brigade London Wildlife Trust
LRS Consultancy LSDC NHS North London Work Plan Spirit Arts Sustainable Merton Tower Hamlets CVS University College London
University of Strathclyde West London Waste Authority Westminster City Council Work and Play Scrapstore
With thanks to the More Than Minutes artists for designing and drawing the graphic design posters
Response to the event 100%
Excellent
80%
Very Good Good
60%
Fair Poor
40%
“Great diversity of people/professionals produced stimulating debate with some very valid comments for future of circular “ “Approach/design of event with roving input/provocations plus visuals. Great graphic facilitation and tools for contributing. Well done LSx” “This is a great space today, bringing lots of different people together from lots of different places” “The provocations made me think about what is the vision for London and do we want a circular economy”
20%
0% Usefulness of Level of new Opportunity to Increased Opportunity for event learning contribute to understanding meeting new discussions of London people/sharing Infrastructure information
“Actually the process adopted near constant state of flux - getting exposed to a wide range of informed opinions and even guesses and wild assertions, making for a stimulating event” “I thought the event was really well run”