ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we investigate how the ideas of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) can strengthen the social and cultural aspects of the circular economy (CE) in an urban context. Cities are essential to the CE transition as over 50% of the world population lives in urban areas, and 60–80% of natural resources are consumed in cities. We analyse the various notions of SSE and their potential links with CE via a theoretical literature review and conduct a comparative case analysis focused on CE- and SSE-driven urban development projects in Finland, Uruguay, and Spain. As a provisional result, we specify SSE ideas that contribute to the vision for urban circularity and can enrich the social and cultural sustainability of CE. We conclude that careful work is needed to put these two distinct approaches into a dialogue in relevant ways.
