GOOD CITIES
Cities stimulating new shared economy services for consumer goods in urban environments
Project summary
ABOUT GOOD CITIES
GOOD CITIES aims to stimulate innovative sharing economy services for consumer goods and spaces within urban environments. Our mission is to enhance resource efficiency and equitable access to consumer goods by embedding sharing systems into cities, leading to a tangible reduction in consumption and a smaller ecological footprint for European citizens.
By collaborating with local stakeholders and utilizing targeted policy instruments, we aim to drastically reduce the volume of goods in circulation and mitigate consumption-related environmental impacts, all while promoting well-being and strengthening social cohesion.
As part of the initiative, six public authorities will clarify their roles in the sharing economy, establish effective governance frameworks, and develop actionable strategies based on proven practices. This collective effort will enable cities to implement robust policies and tools that build trust, encourage cooperation, and create the infrastructure necessary to integrate sharing seamlessly into urban life.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH OVERCONSUMPTION?
Millions of underused consumer goods, such as tools, leisure equipment, and home appliances, sit idle in European households, contributing to financial waste, resource depletion, climate change, and a growing waste crisis. For instance, a drill is used for just 12 minutes on average during its lifetime. This invisible problem stems from inefficiencies in individual ownership and overconsumption, which account for up to 21% of EU citizens’ consumption-related greenhouse gas emissions, as well as significant land, material, and water use.
While for-profit sharing models in mobility and housing have gained traction, consumer goods remain overlooked despite their substantial environmental and social impacts. Peer-to-peer platforms and small sharing initiatives offer solutions but struggle with inefficiencies, low visibility, and limited support. Cities, despite their infrastructure and potential, lack effect
PROJECT PARTNERS AND THEIR VISIONS
The Association of Municipalities of Tartu County, Estonia
City of Malmö, Sweden
Municipality of Újbuda, Hungary
Region of Western Macedonia, Greece
The Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia (CLuBE)
City of Tilburg, Netherlands
Eutropian, Austria
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What will this project change
GOOD CITIES transforms urban consumption by reducing overuse of resources through sharing systems. Its key impacts include:
- Environmental Gains: Cuts emissions, waste, and resource extraction, aligning cities with EU sustainability goals.
- Economic Efficiency: Saves costs by enabling shared access to goods, reducing reliance on individual ownership.
- Social Inclusion: Strengthens community ties and reduces disparities by improving access to essential goods.
- Urban Innovation: Empowers cities with policies and tools to implement sharing systems, fostering sustainable development.
- Behavioral Change: Encourages long-term shifts toward resource-conscious, collaborative living.