Implementing a New Human Settlement Theory: Strategic Planning for a Network of Circular Economy Innovation Hubs

Abstract

Whilst the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables offers significant environmental benefits, the other transition—from a centralised to a distributed energy system—underpins a disruptive model for planning cities, towns, and villages. A local energy micro-grid can power a local water micro-grid, which in turn can irrigate a local food system, offering a community the opportunity to harvest, store, and distribute food, water, and energy within their immediate catchment. Designing the layout of the built environment in the form of a campus or resort—with smaller private spaces and a wide range of accessible shared spaces and facilities—would also minimise energy demand, while simultaneously providing opportunities for social interaction and connection.

Creating places where local residents can collaborate to provide their basic needs is a form of Place-Making as well as an achievable alternative to the Universal Basic Income (UBI). The direct delivery of basic needs—consumed by the producing community—rather than the provision of money to pay for the purchase of these same needs, addresses the issue of wealth distribution but also re-imagines how wealth is created. It requires communities to take responsibility for their local environment, supporting infrastructure and others in their community.

Described by the author as a Circular Economy Innovation Hub, such a planning strategy adopts the principles of the Circular Economy—systems thinking, life-cycle planning and striving for zero waste. By integrating the water, energy, food and built systems, waste can be repurposed and the overall efficiency of all component systems is significantly increased. The more efficient delivery of the identified natural needs then offers residents more free time for innovation and creativity. Finally, such places are not isolated villages but hubs or nodes in a network, connecting and collaborating with others in their bio-region and beyond.

With the planning theory stage completed, a number of further projects with research partners and local governments are now building a knowledge platform, including infrastructure modelling, planning policies, an architecture brief and financial strategies. These would enable this form of regenerative land development to be incorporated in local government planning policies, providing certainty for investors and enabling delivery by developers.