The INBUILT project recently took part in the SUM Multidisciplinary Symposium on Circular Economy & Urban Mining (Procida, 21-23 May), hosting an engaging and practical workshop focused on Urban Mining in the construction sector.

Organised by the International Waste Working Group (IWWG), the Symposium has been held every two years since 2012. Following the success of the 2024 conference in Capri, which brought together experts from 34 countries and various disciplines, SUM has now become an annual event. The event aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among diverse disciplines - including Agronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, Medicine, Psychology, Sociology, etc. - while engaging stakeholders like industry leaders, policy makers, NGOs and local authorities, and promoting strategic partnerships to address the global challenges of the circular economy.

The workshop was organised by Leitat Technological Center in the framework of the INBUILT project, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore the untapped potential of the built environment for urban mining. Led by Davide Cerra (LEITAT), with inspiring insights from Magdalena Zabek (University of Technology of Delft), the INBUILT workshop facilitated in-depth discussions on the potential of the built environment for the circular economy. LEITAT presented a comprehensive overview of Urban Mining initiatives across the EU, mapping key players and encouraging meaningful dialogue among participants.

A key takeaway from the event: our cities are rich in hidden resources — we just need to learn how to extract and reuse them sustainably.