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Expert and Diffuse Design of a Sustainable Circular Economy in Two German Circular Roadmap Projects

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  • Gavin Melles

    (School of Design, Swinburne University of Technology, John St, Hawthorn 3122, Australia
    Technisches Design, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

  • Christian Wölfel

    (Technisches Design, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

  • Jens Krzywinski

    (Technisches Design, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

  • Lenard Opeskin

    (Technisches Design, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

Abstract

According to sustainability transitions theory, socio-technical change requires a convergence of politics, social change, technology, and niche innovations. Recently, a circular economy has been proposed as the engine of such change in the EU New Green Deal and Germany. Mainstream circular economy emphasizes the closing of material loops as the way to ensure green growth, and there is a key role for design to achieve such change. According to reports, however, the global appetite for a circular economy remains limited and critics have pointed to several contradictions between the rhetoric and reality of the circular economy and sustainable development. In addition, current formulations of circular economy misrepresent the plurality of discourses for a sustainable circular economy and the role of expert and diffuse circular design. In this study, we employ the recently articulated ten principles for a sustainable circular economy and society to analyze two contrasting circular roadmap projects in Germany, which reflect two contrasting technical and reformist circular discourses, and understandings of the role of design. We find that there are narrow and broad interpretations of design inherent in these circular policies as well as the exemplification of the difference between a technical circular economy and reformist circular society discourses. The practical applied value of this analysis is that the framework can be employed to analyze other policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Gavin Melles & Christian Wölfel & Jens Krzywinski & Lenard Opeskin, 2022. "Expert and Diffuse Design of a Sustainable Circular Economy in Two German Circular Roadmap Projects," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:11:y:2022:i:9:p:408-:d:908517
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    References listed on IDEAS

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