Abstract Summary
In the journey towards a sustainable future, the transition to a circular economy is pivotal. This session, "Sharing and Repairing in Everyday Urban Life," will explore innovative forms of consumption crucial to this transition. We will focus on social practices and behavioural questions concerning the reuse and repair of the consumer goods with the highest environmental impact in cities: electric appliances and clothing. The workshop aims to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in scaling up sharing and repairing practices. In a co-creative setting, we will identify new strategies for implementation and collaboration to advance these practices. Context: Despite growing awareness, research indicates that practices of repairing and sharing remain marginal in Dutch society. For instance, a recent study by Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving (PBL) shows that only 30% of Dutch citizens engage in repairing devices, and less than 1% participate in sharing, borrowing, or renting products. This disparity, coupled with a reported lack of trust in sharing, especially with strangers, underscores the need for strategies to foster trust, acceptance, and broader adoption of Circular Consumption Practices (CCPs) throughout Dutch society. Aims: This workshop aims to promote dialogue and identify challenges and opportunities for supporting and scaling up sharing and repairing in Amsterdam and beyond. By adopting an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, we will show how scaling of CCPs requires social and behavioural change alongside technological innovation and policy development. In accordance, we will bring together experts from social and technical sciences, industry and policy actors. Goal is to establish a joint research program that will support Amsterdam’s Uitvoeringsagenda Circulair 2023 2026 in the value chain of consumer goods. Workshop Structure: This workshop adopts a dialogue-based format to foster idea exchange across disciplines. It features experts from sociology, industrial design, and technical environmental sciences, alongside policymakers and industry representatives from Amsterdam's Uitvoeringsagenda Circulair 2023 2026. This blend of scientific and practical insights aims to enhance understanding of how different sectors contribute to scaling up sharing and repairing practices in urban settings. The session commences with concise presentations from specialists in sociology, design, and environmental sciences, addressing the primary challenges and opportunities in sharing and repairing. This will be followed by insights from key public and societal figures, including the AMS Program Circularity in Urban Regions and Gemeente Amsterdam representatives. The remainder of the workshop engages in co-creative discussions on how different disciplines and societal actors perceive the challenges and opportunities regarding circular consumption. We will examine the differing logics and assumptions held by these perspectives in understanding and promoting transformation. The workshop will also consider innovative methods and solutions to support transformation in everyday social practices, identifying touchpoints for collaboration between science and policy.
