Circular Economy Servicescapes

Studio leaders: Nonkululeko Grootboom & Amy van der Walt

HOW DO WE LIVE AND MAKE MEANING?

In recent years, research and industry have highlighted that contemporary society is unsustainable by design due to linear consumption patterns. It is proposed that a shift from a goods-dominant logic to a service-dominant logic can support a shift to a more sustainable society (Grootboom et al., nd). In service-dominant logic, material products act as conduits for service provision rather than ends in themselves. This can be achieved by engaging citizens in circular practices. In circular economy (CE), the value proposition is embedded through actions required from citizen participants through new in-use activities such as sharing/renting, maintaining/repairing/upgrading and post-use activities such as recycling, reselling and donating. This points to a shift in values and cultural patterns through new interactions between people and objects and between people and their environment.

This studio explores how the built environment can be adapted to enable dynamic systems in which people can flourish, supported by new services towards a circular economy. The development of services includes an exploration of circular practices, motivations, physical and digital touchpoints, and activities to encourage meaningful interactions towards mainstream adoption of circular economy. Starting with the exploration of food, fashion, storytelling and other collaborative activities, the studio considers various scenarios for urban regeneration to reactivate the Voutsas Building in Sunnyside, Pretoria through adaptive reuse strategies.