the CIRCUIT project aims to transform industrial areas and neighboring cities into integrated “green” ecosystems, bringing industry closer to the city through circular economy solutions. Instead of operating in isolation and burdening the environment, it promotes practices that reduce waste, enhance resource reuse and support climate-friendly actions.
Today, many manufacturing activities still prioritize speed and immediate economic output, resulting in increased pollution, waste of energy and raw materials, and additional pressure on surrounding cities, which are affected by resource depletion and insufficient resilience of infrastructure.
CIRCUIT answers these questions with practical tools. It leverages digital technologies such as ‘digital twins’ to test scenarios and interventions before they are implemented, as well as real-time monitoring systems for pollution, energy consumption and critical indicators. At the same time, it supports the sharing of data through collaboration platforms, so that the actors involved can better coordinate their actions.
A central element is also the participation of local society, businesses and agencies, with co-configuration of solutions and targeted training programs, so that employees and managers acquire skills for the implementation of new sustainable practices.
The results are expected to be multiple: waste can be turned into a resource for other processes, reducing waste, while emissions and the overall footprint are reduced with the aim of approaching climate neutrality. The ultimate goal is a better quality of life for residents, with less pollution, more resilient infrastructure and fairer use of available resources.