In an innovative new venture, the cities of Ulsan in South Korea and Birmingham in the UK are collaborating on the Diatomic City-to-City Demonstrator Project. This partnership, driven by ISL and STEAMhouse, aims to promote industrial symbiosis and eco-industrial development (IS/EID) as a means to boost economic growth while addressing climate change.

Project Background

For over two decades, both Ulsan and Birmingham have been pioneers in the field of IS/EID, implementing strategies that reduce CO2 emissions, create jobs, spur innovation, and promote sustainable growth. Central to these efforts is the circular economy—an approach that prioritizes resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the continuous use of materials. While both cities have seen significant success, IS/EID practices remain underutilized globally.

An Opportunity for Innovation

This project highlights the growing need for cities and regions to embrace the benefits of IS/EID and circular economy principles. By drawing on the lessons from Birmingham and Ulsan’s successful initiatives, the City-to-City Demonstrator aims to enhance the adoption of these practices in both countries. Public and private stakeholders, including Birmingham City Council, will work together to develop a practical guide for assessing IS/EID readiness and creating effective implementation plans.

Project Timeline and Key Activities

Stage 01 – Discover (July 2024):

• UK Knowledge Exchange Workshop: This online event will bring together experts from Birmingham City Council, WMCA, International Synergies, and the innovation sector. It will showcase Birmingham’s leadership in IS, its European initiatives, and feature a Q&A session with Ulsan representatives.
• Ulsan Knowledge Exchange Workshop: A parallel event focusing on Ulsan’s IS/EID successes, its sustainability efforts, and updates from the World EID Centre.

Stage 02 – Define (September 2024):

• IS & STEAMhouse Review: Key insights from the Discover stage will be reviewed and shared with project stakeholders.
• Challenge Event at STEAMhouse: This in-person event will tackle the challenges and opportunities identified during the review, leading to a collaborative action plan.

Stage 03 – Develop (November 2024):

• Synthesizing Insights: STEAMhouse will analyze insights from the previous stages.
• Support Tool Draft: ISL will create a draft of a support tool informed by project findings, which will be reviewed for alignment with stakeholder needs.

Stage 04 – Deploy (January 2025):

• Focus Group Formation: A focus group of key stakeholders will provide initial feedback on the support tool.
• Tool Deployment: The tool will be tested by the focus group, with a workshop organized to gather detailed feedback.
• Refinement: Feedback will be analyzed and incorporated to finalize the tool.

Expected Outcomes

The collaboration will result in three workshops with regional and international partners, a comprehensive summary report with actionable insights, and a support tool designed for IS/EID adoption. User testing will ensure the tool’s practicality and help refine it for broader use.

This unique partnership between Ulsan and Birmingham aims to bridge the gap in the adoption of IS/EID and circular economy practices. By providing cities and regions with the knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to implement sustainable strategies, the project seeks to drive lasting global change.