Thesis
The urban bioeconomy: a systems engineering approach from conceptualisation through mapping to optimisation
- Abstract:
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Nowadays, most humans live in urban settlements. However, cities are often regarded as diametrical opposites to nature due to their contributions to global resource imbalances and climate change, their negative influence on human well-being and their lack of resilience. To help cities become more future-proof and to learn from nature, the concept of urban bioeconomy (UBE) is promising as it adopts bioeconomic principles to urban environments. As an emerging solution, the full meaning and potential of the UBE has been underexplored and remains vague to many. To fill this knowledge gap, this thesis examines UBEs conceptually, quantitatively assesses their current states and identifies future opportunities of UBEs.
First, the concept was explored by systematically summarising three major UBE components as well as related positive and negative impacts. Furthermore, synergies between UBE components and other parts of the economy were investigated. The resulting UBE definition paved the way for the quantitative mapping of the present UBEs. The current states of two contrasting cities were assessed subsequently according to selected UBE indicators, which revealed missed urban bio-symbiosis opportunities. One of these potential symbioses for sustainable UBEs was explored in-depth in the last research chapter, which modelled the food production potential when using food waste processed in an anaerobic digester as an input resource for plant growth in high-tech controlled environment agriculture systems. Drawing from 360 case studies, the optimisation model identified optimal combinations for different needs.
To date, this is the first work that holistically investigated UBEs and their symbiotic potential conceptually and analytically while delving into one promising form of urban bio-symbiosis for future UBEs. Based on its findings, this thesis lays the foundation for helping cities become more circular, resilient and nature-based UBEs where all living beings thrive together for many generations to come.
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Authors
Contributors
- Institution:
- University of Oxford
- Division:
- MPLS
- Department:
- Engineering Science
- Role:
- Supervisor
- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/04v48nr57
- Funding agency for:
- Yang, NHN
- Programme:
- Rhodes scholarship
- DOI:
- Type of award:
- DPhil
- Level of award:
- Doctoral
- Awarding institution:
- University of Oxford
- Language:
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English
- Keywords:
- Subjects:
- Deposit date:
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2025-07-28
- ARK identifier:
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Nan-Hua Nadja Yang
- Copyright date:
- 2024
- Rights statement:
- This thesis is the intellectual property of the author. You may download and use this work for personal, educational, or non-commercial research purposes only. Any other use, including reproduction or distribution in whole or in part, requires the prior written permission of the author.
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