Circular Green Blocks project selected as one of the finalists for the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2024

The Circular Green Blocks – Sustainable city quarters as circular economy business promoters project contributed to circular and sharing economy solutions, tested in several pilot blocks in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

The project was coordinated by the Helsinki Region Environmental Services and partnered by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Forum Virium Helsinki and Aalto University.

Circular Green Blocks focused on tailoring sharing economy solutions for urban blocks, a novel field prominent for new business opportunities. In the two-year partnership project, tests and pilots of sustainable solutions of circular and sharing economies were elaborated together with housing companies and companies which support green growth.

Turning sustainability transition into an everyday action calls for co-design between residents, businesses and public authorities.

The experiments and pilots were related to sustainable mobility, sharing, yard improvement and urban farming, as well as circular economy-themed event production.

The principles of co-development were utilised in solutions and customisation, as well as 360-degree photography and 3D modeling to illustrate various solution options and plans.

The change begins in the urban block communities

Turning sustainability transition into an everyday action calls for co-design between residents, businesses and public authorities. The residents of the pilot blocks were actively participating in the project and could, for instance, affect which services and activities were piloted in their own neighbourhood.

Developing a sharing economy intertwines with community-building and fostering a sense of belonging in the neighbourhoods as it builds on trust and sharing with the community. The project took place in 2021-2023 and was supported by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.

Vote for your favorite

The New European Bauhaus Prizes winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on April 12 during the second edition of the New European Bauhaus Festival in Brussels.

Out of more than 530 applications, 50 finalists have been selected, showcasing that beautiful, sustainable and inclusive projects exist all over the EU, the Western Balkans and Ukraine. Discover these incredible projects, and cast your vote for your preferred ones!

The public vote will close on March 27, 18:00 CET.

Voting is possible on the European Commission website.

More information:

Jenni Merjankari
Circular Green Blocks Project Manager
Senior Lecturer, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
jenni.merjankari@metropolia.fi

Lassi Sarlos
Circular Green Blocks Project Manager
Project Manager, Helsinki Region Environmental Services
lassi.sarlos@hsy.fi

Original article on Metropolia’s website

The Circular Green Blocks – Sustainable city quarters as circular economy business promoters -project (9/2021–9/2023) received funding from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Union’s actions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.