As part of the “Agora of Democracy” 2025 event in Kiel, the Creative Circular Cities project was presented, addressing a central tension of our time: the relationship between economic models and social cohesion.
The presentation highlighted how the extractive economic model—based on constant resource use and short-term maximization—not only exceeds ecological limits but also gradually erodes social cohesion. It fosters individualism and a competitive mindset at the expense of shared values and collective well-being.
In contrast, circular economy approaches offer a fundamentally different perspective by strengthening community through cooperation, local value chains, and long-term thinking. Through dialogue with participants, project partners from Kiel demonstrated that this transformation extends beyond technical innovation and serves as a powerful social lever. Shared responsibility for products and resources enhances societal resilience, making circular cities not only more environmentally sustainable but also more democratically robust and socially resilient.
