Amsterdam City Doughnut (Circular Economy)

The Amsterdam City Doughnut is a groundbreaking framework that integrates Doughnut Economics, a model developed by economist Kate Raworth, into urban planning. Published by the City of Amsterdam, this initiative began in April 2020, establishing Amsterdam as the first city globally to adopt this model for public policy and urban development. It serves as a comprehensive guide that promotes systemic transformation through a holistic understanding of the city's interplay with the global environment.

The Doughnut model visualizes sustainable development through two concentric rings: the inner ring represents the social foundation, ensuring basic human needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and education are met for everyone. The outer ring denotes the ecological ceiling, which outlines the planetary boundaries that humanity must not exceed, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The "doughnut" area between these rings signifies the safe space for human thriving within Earth’s limits.

The Amsterdam City Doughnut was created through collaborations involving the City of Amsterdam, Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), C40 Cities, and Circle Economy as part of the Thriving Cities Initiative (TCI). The framework employs a City Portrait approach, analyzing urban life through four interconnected perspectives: local social well-being, local ecological health, global social responsibility, and global ecological health. This ensures that Amsterdam’s growth respects both local aspirations and global responsibilities.

Following the adoption of the Doughnut framework, the Amsterdam city government incorporated it into its Circular Economy Strategy 2020–2025. Key areas for implementation include circular construction, food system transformation, and development of circular supply chains for consumer goods. The city mandates the use of circular materials in new developments, promotes local food production, and aims to reduce waste, thereby aligning with doughnut-aligned targets.

To track its circular economy goals, Amsterdam has developed the Amsterdam Circular Monitor, which aligns with the Doughnut framework and provides regular assessments of social and ecological indicators. This tool is vital for measuring the city’s performance in achieving sustainable development.

Since its inception, the Amsterdam City Doughnut has inspired a global movement, encouraging other cities like Brussels, Copenhagen, and Berlin to adopt similar frameworks. DEAL offers a methodological guide for communities to create their own City Portraits, expanding the concept of Doughnut Economics beyond Amsterdam.

While the doughnut model has garnered support for its clarity and holistic approach, it has faced criticisms. Some argue it cannot match capitalism's effectiveness in alleviating poverty, while others question its ability to address the political structures that hinder climate action. Additionally, practical concerns about translating the model's aspirational targets into measurable indicators remain a challenge for many cities.

For practitioners in the smart city sector, the Amsterdam City Doughnut offers a valuable framework for evaluating whether urban initiatives promote human well-being and environmental sustainability. Its emphasis on global responsibility is particularly pertinent for European cities, whose consumption patterns have far-reaching impacts beyond their borders.