Fast Facts: Doughnut Economics & Thriving Cities Initiative (TCI)
Doughnut Economics
• Doughnut Economics, developed by Kate Raworth of Oxford University’s
Environmental Change Institute, presents an alternative to traditional growth
economics based on the idea that growth cannot continue infinitely within the
constraints of the planet and is not a reliable indicator of human wellbeing.
• The central premise of the model is: the goal of economic activity should be about
meeting the core needs of all but within the means of the planet. The “doughnut” is a
device to show what this means in practice.
• Amsterdam is embracing the doughnut model to mend its post-coronavirus
economy, using the model as a guide and starting point for public policy decisions to
help the city thrive in a way that prioritizes equity and is in balance with planet. (Learn
more in this Guardian story.)
• Here is a 1-minute video intro to the doughnut model, and this 6-minute video is a
great summary of the model and how it’s being used in Amsterdam.
• This blog details how the impacts of COVID-19 highlight some key lessons on how
cities can use circular principles to not only rebuild their economies but also to
create more just and inclusive societies.
Thriving Cities Initiative (TCI)
• The Thriving Cities Initiative is a City-led collaboration with C40, Doughnut
Economics Action Lab and Circle Economy.
• Philadelphia, Portland and Amsterdam are participating in the two-year pilot program
which commenced in 2019. As long as funding for the pilot is renewed, the pilot will
continue on in 2021-2022.
• A main goal of the TCI process is to have City leaders work in partnership with
community members and local businesses to address unsustainable patterns of
consumption and production, implement more circular systems and create a thriving
city.
• Philadelphia held its first TCI workshop in September 2019, where city stakeholders
explored the current state of the city through the Thriving City Portrait and
uncovered the underlying systemic deep drivers of unsustainable consumption.
• At future workshops (in 2021-2022), City staff and outside stakeholders will utilize
expertise and technical assistance offered through the TCI program to:
o Assess existing Philadelphia initiatives and organizations.
o Analyze best practices from policies and programs in other cities.
o Develop Philadelphia-specific strategies based on global examples and local
context.
o Create clear action plans for policies and programs that will create a thriving
Philadelphia while reducing consumption and emissions.
o Build a coalition of stakeholders to implement these plans.
• Explore the Amsterdam City Portrait , created as part of the TCI process, meant to be
used by the city as a tool for transformative action.
