Circular Economy Could Reshape City Transportation

Researchers conducted a literature review to explore how circular economy principles can improve urban mobility and smart city transportation. The study, drawing from documents indexed in Scopus and Web of Science from 2010 to April 2026, examined concepts like durable design, reuse, and responsible materials management.

The review clustered findings into six areas: design, digital infrastructures, shared mobility, materials management, social inclusion, and decision support. Analysis revealed that effective circular economy interventions rely on supportive public policies, coordinated governance, and digital platforms to reduce environmental impact and improve resource use.

However, the researchers noted limitations including fragmented governance structures, overly optimistic assumptions about material recovery, and a lack of strong evidence connecting public participation to concrete results. Further research should focus on cross-sectoral policy alignment and long-term, data-driven pilot programs.