Episode 5: Doughnut from Amsterdam

Disrupt Development

A doughnut cooked up in Oxford will guide Amsterdam out of the economic mess left by the coronavirus pandemic. Amsterdam is embracing the so-called doughnut, an economic model that envisions “a world in which people and planet can thrive in balance”. The brainchild of Kate Raworth, a senior research associate at Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute, the doughnut is a way of thinking about economics based on the priorities set out by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The city of Amsterdam wants to be a regenerative and inclusive city for all citizens while respecting the whole planet. But how to realise the radical and ambitious vision to make such a thriving city?

Ilektra Kouloumpi is one of the leading strategists from the international team who downscaled the Doughnut Model to the city of Amsterdam. Together with Ilektra we will simplify the concept of circular economy through practical examples, get a better understanding of the disruptive model of the Doughtnut Economy and learn how Amsterdam has become the first city in the world to embrance the Doughnut Model as the starting point for all public policy decisions.

Ilektra Kouloumpi is Senior Cities Strategist at Circle Economy, a social enterprise that accelerates transition towards a circular economy. Currently, she leads the Thriving Cities Initiative pilot programme, taking cities on a journey to become socially just and environmental safe places within the planetary boundaries. Her journey to become a senior expert in sustainable urbanism and circular economy has included roles as buildings engineer, EU policy analyst for the built environment, and academic researcher and consultant on smart and sustainable cities.