Wood works: how local value chains based on urban forests contribute to place-based circular economy

Abstract

Wood is abundant in cities around the world, but its potential contribution to circular urban economies has received little attention. Whereas current practices are mostly limited to low-value uses in the form of mulch or firewood, we document the emergence of an “urban wood movement” that successfully created local value chains in cities across the United States, Canada, The Netherlands and Belgium. Value chains for urban wood vary in their production capacity, professionalism and institutional set-up. Common features include a need for effective local cooperation across diverse actors and the development of storylines akin to the principle of value cascading. We suggest three avenues for further research that are concerned with the potential contribution of urban wood initiatives to: 1) the provision of positive economic and environmental impacts; 2) debates on sustainable forestry focusing on decentralization and local control; and 3) knowledge on viable business models in short-circuit economies.