Medium towns sustainable development starting from the excellences of the territories and new opportunities deriving from circular economy approaches

The city of La Spezia is giving attention to new development paths starting from the strengths and the excellences of the territory and through out the animation of working tables on local Economy. The Circular Economy is one of the main topics focused thanks to the existing know-how: national research centers present locally working in European networks and coordinating national network on this theme and companies, in particular in the nautical sector, interested in developing case studies and experimentations on circular supply chains. The creation of a circular supply chain to be installed in disused urban areas could have significant impacts on local economy, smes, employment and urban tissue. The participation in Urbact and the creation of a European network of medium-sized cities working on this topic represents an opportunity for medium-sized cities to share best practices for the construction of a new urban development plan focused on sustainability and circularity.