For the framework of this personal assignment, the concept named: “circular economy

principles”, which relates to the sustainable design of smart cities, have been chosen. From my
perspective, the mentioned concept is relevant to this “Sustainable Design” course for several
reasons as follows. Firstly, it’s the design of resource optimization, smart city technologies can
optimize resource usage by monitoring and managing energy, water, and materials more
efficiently. Secondly, about Waste Reduction and Recycling, smart waste management systems
can use sensors and data analytics to optimize collection routes, reduce overflowing bins, and
identify opportunities for recycling and composting. Additionally, advanced sorting technologies
can improve recycling rates by separating different materials more effectively. Thirdly, sharing
platforms can facilitate the sharing of resources such as vehicles, tools, and office space, reducing
the need for individual ownership and promoting a more efficient use of assets. So, by
incorporating circular economy principles into the design and operation of smart cities, it is
possible to create more sustainable and resilient urban environments that minimize waste,
conserve resources, and promote economic prosperity.

After thoroughly familiarizing myself with the selected topic via internet research and browsing , I
have found and selected two materials of different formats. The first material is an educational
video from a Ted talk titled “How to design the circular economy” by Mart Drake-Knight. This TED
talk on the circular economy and sustainability crisis presents several key arguments, theoretical
perspectives, and empirical evidence to support the idea of redesigning the economy for
sustainability of smart cities.

Here are the key points summarized from the video:

❖ The problem: The current economy works against the environment by generating pollution
and waste. However, these issues can be addressed through redesigning products and
systems; Fashion Industry's Sustainability Issue: The fashion industry faces significant
sustainability challenges, with a large portion of clothing made from plastic and the majority
of it ending up in landfills or incinerators.
❖ Need for System Redesign: To achieve sustainability, it's essential to change not only
products but also the systems that produce them. This includes rethinking waste
management and considering the redesign of economic models.
❖ Economic Incentives and Circular Design: The current economic model doesn't properly
account for the costs of waste, leading to a situation where pollution is rewarded rather
than punished. Circular design offers a framework to address sustainability issues and create
opportunities for more efficient systems.
❖ Role of Start-ups and Founders: Start-ups and founders play a crucial role in driving
sustainability solutions. Businesses exist to solve problems, and there's significant potential
for growth in sustainability-focused start-ups.
❖ The Ted talk video concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to share the ideas
presented and take concrete steps to make them a reality. Overall, this TED talk emphasizes
the urgency of addressing the sustainability crisis and highlights the potential for individuals
and businesses to drive positive change through innovative solutions and systemic redesign.
The second selected material is an article from the Comunist Review, written by Prof, Dr. Nguyen
Hong Quan and associates: Dr. Le Quang Dung, Dr. Nguyen Kieu Lan Phuong, titled as “The
circular economy promotes sustainable economic development and environmental preservation.”
The mentioned article from the Communist Review discusses the implementation and potential
of circular economy principles in Vietnam. Here are the summarize of key points that’s important
from the text:
❖ Urgency of Circular Economy in Vietnam: The linear model of economic growth is no longer
suitable due to natural resource exhaustion and environmental degradation. Implementing a
circular economy is seen as an urgent need and an inevitable trend for sustainable
development.
❖ Benefits of Circular Economy: Circular economy principles promote economic growth while
minimizing waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. By extending product lifecycles,
reducing waste, and restoring natural resources, a circular economy can contribute to
sustainable and inclusive development.
❖ Definition and Scope of Circular Economy: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation defines a circular
economy as a systemic approach that is restorative and regenerative by design. It
emphasizes replacing the concept of end-of-life with reducing, reusing, recycling, and
recovering materials throughout the production and distribution process.
❖ Current Circular Economy Practices in Vietnam: Vietnam has implemented some circular
economy practices since the 1980s, such as the garden-pond-shed (VAC) model in
agriculture. Recent initiatives by corporations and public-private partnerships have focused
on waste collection, recycling programs, and eco-industrial parks.
❖ Opportunities and Challenges: The transition to a circular economy presents opportunities
for economic growth, job creation, and meeting sustainable development goals. However,
challenges remain, including the lack of a clear policy framework, insufficient infrastructure,
and limited awareness and technology for circular economy practices.
❖ Orientation for Sustainable Economic Growth: To achieve sustainable development through
a circular economy, Vietnam needs to prioritize improving human resources, institutions,
and policies. This includes raising public awareness, promoting digital technology and
innovation, and integrating circular economy principles into business models.
❖ Role of Digital Technology in Circular Economy: Digital technology plays a crucial role in
supporting the transition to a circular economy. Technologies such as the Internet of Things
(IoT) and data analytics can optimize resource flows, extend product lifecycles, and create
value through innovative services and business models.
In general, the article highlights the importance of adopting circular economy principles in
Vietnam to address environmental challenges, promote sustainable development, and enhance
economic competitiveness. It emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts from government,
businesses, and the community to successfully implement circular economy practices and
achieve long-term benefits.
After providing the summaries of the materials, here are the analytical connections between the
lectures and the found materials that have been gathered:

About root causes of environmental issues, both the TED Talk video and the article from the
Communist Review address the root causes of environmental degradation, albeit in different
contexts. The TED Talk discusses how the current linear model of economic growth incentivizes
pollution and waste, leading to environmental harm. Similarly, the article highlights issues such as
resource overexploitation, rapid industrialization, and energy-intensive lifestyles contributing to
environmental damage in Vietnam. These reasons align with the notion that traditional economic
models prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability, thus exacerbating environmental
problems.

Next, mentioning ethics theory and circular economy, ehics theory, particularly consequential,
deontology, and virtue ethics, can shed light on the ethical considerations underlying the
transition to a circular economy. Consequential-ism would support the shift towards circular
economy principles by emphasizing the positive outcomes of sustainability and resource
conservation. Deontology would argue for the moral duty to protect the environment and future
generations, aligning with the goals of circular economy practices. Virtue ethics would focus on
the development of virtuous character traits such as stewardship and responsibility towards the
environment, which are inherent in circular economy principles. These ethical perspectives
provide a framework for understanding the moral imperatives driving the adoption of circular
economy practices.

Lastly, the insights from both the TED Talk video and the article suggest practical implications for
the development of new IT applications to support circular economy initiatives. For example, IoT
technologies can be leveraged to monitor resource flows, optimize production processes, and
enable product lifecycle tracking in line with circular economy principles. Data analytics tools can
provide insights into resource usage patterns, identify opportunities for waste reduction, and
inform decision-making for sustainable practices. In terms of design, user interfaces (UI) can be
designed to promote sustainable behaviors, such as encouraging users to recycle or reuse
products. Service design methodologies can be employed to create holistic, user-centric solutions
that support circular economy principles across various industries. Design processes and methods
should prioritize sustainability considerations from ideation to implementation, incorporating
principles such as life cycle assessment and eco-design into product development. Overall, the
integration of IT applications and design principles with circular economy objectives can facilitate
the transition towards more sustainable and resilient economic models.

References:
1. Ted talk video: “How to design the circular economy” – by Mart Drake-Knight.
Video published on April 2022. Accessed on February 2024.
Source: https://youtu.be/heIXdS7Gs7c?si=AOD6gg3goCiBb643
2. Article: “The circular economy promotes sustainable economic development and
environmental preservation.” – Communist Review – by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Quan and
associates: Dr. Le Quang Dung, Dr. Nguyen Kieu Lan Phuong.
Published on September 2022. Accessed on February 2024.

Source:https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/english/economy/detail/-/asset_publish
er/mqd1ARxqSObP/content/the-circular-economy-promotes-sustainable-economic-deve
lopment-and-environmental-preservation