As one of the partners of the Circular Design (CiD) project, ALDA recently had the pleasure of contributing to two significant events that showcased the project’s commitment to sustainable and circular innovation: the “Circular Design in Action: Practices and Research” conference in Genova and the online evaluation session with students from Leibniz University Hannover and four respectful members of our observatories.
Advancing Circular Thinking in Genova
On the 22nd and 23rd of May 2025, ALDA participated in the international conference “The Circular Design in Action: Practices and Research”, hosted by the Department of Architecture and Design of the University of Genova. The event gathered academics, professionals, and project partners to explore innovative approaches and research in circular design.
During the conference, ALDA presented the role and responsibilities of the Observatories within the CiD project, emphasising their function in supporting students through expert consultation and applied knowledge exchange. This presentation aimed to highlight how observatories serve as a bridge between theoretical learning and practical guidance, reinforcing the CiD project’s goal of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of circular design.
The event served as a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded stakeholders and deepen our collective commitment to sustainability, innovation, and education.
Supporting Future Designers: The Online Evaluation Session
Following the conference, on 3rd June 2025, ALDA also took part in the online evaluation session organised within the CiD framework. Selected students from Leibniz University Hannover presented their individual or group circular design proposals, developed as part of their academic journey in the project.
The local observatory of Hannover and the European Observatory in Urban Transformation played an essential role during this session, providing tailored feedback and guidance to help students strengthen their ideas in line with the core principles of circular design. These exchanges allowed students to refine their concepts while gaining professional insights from the field. A huge thank you to our members of the observatories who attended the session: Julia Theis (arc.lab) & Marsha Dinse (arc.lab), Francesco Berni (Policy advisor for urban regeneration and former coordinator of City Science Office Reggio Emilia), and Edyta Skiba (PhD Candidate at the Lodz University of Technology)
This dynamic and collaborative session perfectly illustrated the essence of the CiD project: connecting education, research, and practice to support the next generation of designers in shaping a more sustainable and circular future.
Looking ahead, ALDA is excited to continue supporting the CiD project’s mission, empowering students and fostering innovation that drives us closer to a truly circular and sustainable future
Visit the website to find out more about the project.
