Circular Economy Strategies in European Capitals

As major population hubs, cities contribute substantially to resource consumption and pollution, while also serving as key arenas for innovation and sustainable development. Meanwhile, the European Union has prioritised the circular economy as a strategic pathway for urban transformation, with capital cities intended to have a crucial role in this transition. Drawing on an integrated literature review, this study therefore focuses on the assessment of circular economy strategies in 10 European Union capital cities. It evaluates three core dimensions: methodological clarity, stakeholder engagement, and accountability. Based on these criteria, we propose a typology that classifies strategies into three categories: “Robust”, “Moderate”, and “Basic”. Our findings highlight that, despite growing political commitment to the circular economy at urban level, many strategies suffer from limited stakeholder inclusion, vague implementation plans, and scarce accountability mechanisms. These gaps raise concerns about the disconnect between circular economy visions and urban realities. Overall, this study offers a replicable evaluation tool, while also highlighting the need for integrated, transparent, and participatory planning in the design of effective urban circular economy strategies.