GRANT PROGRAMME: Horizon Europe

OBJECTIVE: Smile City offers realistic circular systemic solutions to support the evolution towards a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, non-toxic, circular economy by 2050. The contribution to C02 reduction works on two levels: intensive use of recycled materials instead of virgin materials, without reducing the performance of the final products; and the use of such products and practices to increase sustainable mobility. The project aims to integrate innovative systemic solutions into cycle paths of up to 100 km and to implement 20 e-bike charging stations developed using different types of recycled urban waste, such as construction materials, EoL tyres and EoL batteries from Electric Vehicles. The foreseen innovations include the creation of e-bike charging stations made of recycled concrete prefabricated elements and PV panels produced with equally recycled materials, the installation of recycled rubber moulded products such as rubber barriers for street furniture, lane dividers and rubber-coated asphalt, which contribute to both sustainability and safety. SMILE CITY will bring together the world’s most advanced technology by supporting the transition to a regenerative, inclusive and circular economy at local and regional scale across Europe, thus strengthening inter-regional and cross-border cooperation, by involving different value chains for the implementation of circular systemic solutions in 7 different EU and non-EU countries. In addition, the project will also increase resource efficiency, strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and reduce the negative environmental footprint of the urban waste value chains considered, related to current recycling techniques. SMILE CITY will support awareness-raising and knowledge dissemination, engaging both citizens and industry leaders in the green transition towards climate-neutral solutions for Circular Cities and supporting the market adoption of circular solutions through regional and local actions. The two partners are members of the CCRI (the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative).

EXECUTIVE UNIT: Department of Parks, Gardens and Green Areas, Green Areas and Facilities Construction Branch Directorate

START DATE: –

PROJECT DURATION: 48 months