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Circular development could produce more resource efficient, ecologically regenerative and resilient cities. This development pathway offers many ecological, social and economic benefits. However, there are also many challenges to implementation, not least a heavy reliance on the market to transform urban systems of provision. A regulatory and policy framework is essential for a circular transformation, until circular activities become competitive within existing markets. Spatial and land-use planning can offer this framework. This paper provides insight into the circular development process. It discusses the role of planning in delivering circular development, using examples from four European cities. It identifies the tools for delivery and discusses the inherent limitations of using planning tools to deliver a circular transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several case studies related to sustainable urban planning in the U.S. and Europe. It discusses the University of California Davis (UC Davis)West Village project, a net zero energy community in the U.S. In Sweden, existing houses and buildings were subjected for renovation to create an energy-efficient eco-neighborhoods. It also talks on the development of Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, a carbon neutral facility in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

The new housing growth programme planned for England and Wales between now and 2016 could provide the government with an opportunity to build housing to significantly higher environmental performance (EP) standards. Equally, if the government continues with its current strategy a great opportunity could be missed. This paper considers and critically analyses the government's approach to ensuring higher EP standards in new housing. Using Greenwich Millennium Village as a case study it assesses the likely outcomes of the approach. It suggests how regulation, fiscal incentives and educational programmes could help to deliver better EP amongst housing and households in the growth region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]