Discover how circular business models transform urban food systems to tackle grand challenges through innovative solutions.

- Duration4 weeks
- Weekly study4 hours
Circular Business Models for Sustainable Urban Food Systems
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Explore how circular economy can foster sustainable urban food systems
In a scenario where the world’s population will reach 9 billion people in 2050, with almost 70% of them concentrated in urban areas and requiring three times more resources than we currently use, the traditional ‘linear economy’ is no longer suitable.
On this course, you’ll discover how to design and build circular food systems for resilient, smart and sustainable cities.
You’ll explore the catalytic role of cities to foster healthy and inclusive food policies, adopting systems thinking, institutional innovation, and participatory approaches in order to fulfill the 2030 SDGs.
Syllabus
Week 1
Thinking and Acting Circular in the context of SDGs: why and for whom?
Welcome
Introduction to the course and the concept of Circular Economy
Thinking Circular in the context of SDGs: Definitions, Origins and Concepts
Thinking Circular in the context of Sustainable Development Goals
Implementing inter-connected Circular Economy thinking at micro, meso and macro level
Acting Circular: why and how?
Circular Economy Roadblocks and Enablers
How Circular Economy can be enhanced and what are the barriers for this transition?
Review and Reflect on Week 1
Review and Reflect
Week 2
Designing Circular Food Systems: Challenges and Opportunities
Welcome to Week 2
Introduction to Circular Food System
Circular Food Systems: Tools and Measurement
How Circular Food Systems can be measured?
Urban and Local Food Policies
Exploring Urban and Local Food Systems, as well as the related food strategies and policies
Drivers and Barriers for Food Systems Circularity
How the Circularity of Food Systems can be enabled and what barriers it confronts?
Review and Reflect on Week 2
Review and Reflect
Week 3
Unlocking Value Creation through Circular Business Models
Welcome to Week 3
Welcome back
From Business Model Innovation to Circular Business Models
The evolution of business models
Best Practices of Circular Business Models in Urban Food Systems
Business Cases and Best Practices of Circular Business Models in Urban Food Systems
Circular Business Model Design approaches
Circular Business Model Design approaches
Review and Reflect on Week 3
Review and Reflect
Week 4
Engaging Food System Stakeholders Effectively
Welcome to Week 4
Welcome to the week
Unlocking the potential of CE through Systems Thinking
Unlocking the potential of CE through Systems Thinking
Educating on Circularity
Educating on Circularity
Communicating Circularity: Sustainability Reporting & Public Engagement
Communicating Circularity: Sustainability Reporting & Public Engagement
Review and Reflect on Week 4
Review and Reflect
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the Circular Economy principles, concepts and measurements in the context of SDGs
- Identify and assess challenges and opportunities when designing Circular Food Systems
- Assess how Urban Food Policies can support urban-rural linkages and guide the transition to Sustainable Urban Food Systems
- Develop and assess Circular Business Models and their role in creating product-service combinations to achieve Food Circularity
- Develop skills and practical tools to disseminate awareness and educate third parties on Urban Food Circularity to foster Sustainable Food Systems
Who is the course for?
This course is primarily designed for policymakers, public institutions, intermediaries, and educators. It would also appeal to anyone with an interest in issues of sustainability and urban food systems.
Who will you learn with?
I am a Professor of Management Control Systems at the University of Turin, Department of Management. My research is focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable business models.
I am a Professor of Food Economics & Business Management at the Department of Economics & Management, University of Helsinki. My research focuses on organizational sustainability in food systems.
I am a researcher in the Department of Management at the University of Turin, in the fields of Circular Economy and Innovation. I believe in the power of experiential learning to drive change.
I work as a research assistant at the Department of Economics and Management, University of Helsinki. I am a Master of Food Sciences, focusing on food economics.