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In Umeå, Sweden, the circular economy represents a new socioeconomic paradigm to stimulate businesses, while achieving the environmental goal of carbon neutrality by 2040. Umeå is the fastest-growing urban centre in Northern Sweden and will host 200 000 inhabitants by 2050, thus increasing the demand of infrastructure including the housing stock, schools, roads and green areas, as well the demand for natural resources, energy and food. This expected growth is an opportunity to move from “business as usual” to a more circular approach whereby construction materials can be used and reused, energy and water efficiency can increase in buildings, food minimised and innovation promoted for closing loops across value chains.
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The chapter details the main components of the existing circular economy strategies and initiatives promoted by the Swedish government, the region of Västerbotten and the city of Umeå, Sweden. The chapter also identifies actors, policies and co‑operation tools across urban and rural areas that can foster the circular economy. Finally, it describes the main challenges that the city of Umeå is facing in its transition from a linear to a circular economy.
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