Wiltz - a Circular Economy Hotspot in the heart of Ardennes
In 2015, the Luxembourg government named Wiltz a Circular Economy Hotspot, encouraging the city to "gradually integrate the rules of the circular economy into its building regulations and to promote the ecological construction of buildings with high added value, having a positive impact on the economy and environment".
In 2017, Wiltz took it a step further by integrating the concept of circular economy into the Official Declaration of the College of Aldermen for 2017 – 2023. In 2018, Wiltz renewed its political commitment with a Circular Economy Charter, by which it committed itself to mainstreaming circular economy in its future project and activities, including:
- enabling municipal services to plan and organise their activities according to socially and environmentally responsible standards;
- make a better use of the material and human resources;
- actively respect biodiversity in municipal project design;
- gradually integrate circular economy in building regulations at municipal level in order to promote eco-design and construction of high-value added buildings;
- introduce a communication strategy aimed at promoting circular economy.
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According to a study by Luxinnovation, “Circularity supports 7000-15000 jobs, as well as more than €1 billion in economic activity in Luxembourg.” The same study claims that acceleration of circular economic practices at scale in Luxembourg has the potential to generate €300 million to €1 billion annual net-material cost savings and more that 2,200 jobs in construction, automotive, manufacturing and logistics.
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The project “Wunne mat der Wooltz” will provide housing, offices, shops, leisure, transport, parking and school facilities, thus attracting 1,800 new inhabitants by 2030. The 780 new housing units will be constructed according to the principles of social and solidarity circular economy, urban planning, raw material optimisation and green energies.