Thesis Format

Monograph

Conceptualizing the Urban Circular Economy: Understanding the formal-Informal continuum in London, Ontario, Canada

Martha Paiz-Domingo, Western UniversityFollow

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Geography and Environment

Collaborative Specialization

Environment and Sustainability

Supervisor

Leszczynski, Agnieszka

Abstract

This research study delves into the contribution of formal and informal practices to the local urban circular economy in London, Ontario, Canada. The circular economy (CE) aims to foster a sustainable economy by closing resource, energy, and materials loops. While there is existing research on formal large-scale industrial activities within the CE, there still is a significant gap in understanding the role of informal CE activities in driving greater CE efforts. This study examined grassroots CE initiatives undertaken by local stakeholders and assesses their significance in promoting urban sustainability. A CE inventory captured a comprehensive overview, documenting 153 actors and events over seven months. This inventory facilitated visualizing formal, informal, and formal-informal continuum networks. The analysis revealed the prominence of the informal network, which, unfortunately, suffers from limited interconnections, thereby hindering its growth.

To address the limited growth plaguing informal CE, the need for more partnerships between formal and interconnected actors to foster the development of the informal CE is required. Key stakeholders, including city staff, business owners, members of local environmental non-profits, and residents, participated in semi-structured interviews (11 informants in total). Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the interview data and construct a narrative of the urban CE in London, Ontario. Despite the diversity of formal and informal informants, most informants (n=7) identified a top-down power structure at play, attributing the most influence and power to the municipal government in driving environmental sector changes. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between formal and informal practices within the urban CE. It highlights the importance of informal initiatives in advancing urban sustainability. The findings emphasized the need for collaboration, partnerships, and attention between formal and informal actors to foster a thriving informal CE network.

Summary for Lay Audience

This research examines how formal and informal practices contribute to the local urban circular economy in London, ON, a mid-sized city in Ontario, Canada. The Circular Economy (CE) aims to transform the economy into a sustainable economy by closing resource, energy, and materials loops. Examples included buying second-hand clothing or swapping, using recycled materials in production processes, and reusing building materials in construction. However, most CE studies have focused on formal, large-scale industrial activities. Comparatively, little is known about informal CE activities and how grassroots, locally organized initiatives contributed to greater CE efforts. This project examined grassroots CE initiatives undertaken by local stakeholders and identified the significance of these activities for urban sustainability.

A CE inventory was constructed to identify events and stakeholders that offer opportunities to participate and engage with the CE. This inventory captured 153 events and stakeholders over seven months. This inventory was then used to create formal, informal, and formal-informal continuum (holistic) networks using social network analysis approaches. These networks were then analyzed, which showed that the informal network was larger than the formal network but lacks connectivity. In contrast, the formal network was well-connected. The CE sphere has limited growth. Where partnerships between formal and well-connected actors could help develop the informal CE.

This study also used semi-structured interviews featuring open-ended questions to determine key stakeholders’ motivations, perceptions, and participation in the CE. A total of 11 interviews were conducted with informants, including city staff, business owners, members of local environmental non-profits, and residents. These stakeholders engaged in CE-related activities through work or their lifestyle. Informants were recruited using public-facing information (e.g., London-area business directories, organizational websites, Facebook groups) and by approaching speakers at public CE-related events, such as London-area talks. In addition to these recruitment methods, connections within the non-profit environmental community were leveraged to recruit informants. Following the semi-structured interviews, a thematic analysis was used to code and analyze the interview data. Interview data was then analyzed to understand the urban CE in London, Ontario. Despite the diverse range of formal and informal informants, the majority (7 out of 11) identified the municipal government as having the most influence and power in driving positive environmental sector changes despite municipal government workers identifying issues with reaching residents and the importance of community groups in educating Londoners. The results of the interviews illustrate the need for increased informal partnerships to continue growing the current urban CE.

Recommended Citation

Paiz-Domingo, Martha, "Conceptualizing the Urban Circular Economy: Understanding the formal-Informal continuum in London, Ontario, Canada" (2024). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 9924.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/9924