Circular economy transitions and urban green infrastructure in the Global South: pathways and prospects

Abstract

This paper applies a spatial lens to conceptualise circular economy (CE) transition within the framework of urban green infrastructure (UGI) in the global South, where this interplay remains underexplored. Extending the CE transition thinking beyond the Global North, the paper argues that current conceptualisations of CE transition in the Global South cannot be separated from the UGI politics. This article advocates looking beyond a generic conception of CE transition towards a spatialised approach, where UGI is central to CE transition in the global South. Drawing on an extensive literature review, the paper utilises empirical cases from the global South to initiate spatial discussions and establish a guiding framework for integrating the urban greenery agenda into cities’ circular economy transitions. Using the concept of CE transition landscapes, the article proposes an alternative approach to understanding CE transitions and the conceptualisations of the UGI-CE transition nexus in Global South settings.

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