Circular by Nature Prize | NEB 2026

A Living Laboratory for Sustainable Urban Design

Circular by Nature, developed by Tiers-Lab des Transitions in Marseille, France, is a winner of the 2026 New European Bauhaus Champions awards in the category Enhancing Circularity, Sustainability, and Innovation. The project demonstrates how an urban green space can become a living laboratory for ecological restoration, environmental research and community participation.

Set within a 6,000-square-metre urban oasis, the initiative brings together circular resource management, biodiversity monitoring and citizen science. Its approach makes sustainability tangible by connecting everyday activities with measurable environmental outcomes.

Turning Waste into a Resource

At the heart of Circular by Nature is the principle that resources should remain in circulation for as long as possible. Green waste generated on-site is composted locally, helping return organic matter to the soil. The project also explores nutrient recovery, including the use of urine as a source of fertiliser.

These practices demonstrate how waste can become a resource and how urban spaces can contribute to more responsible systems of production and consumption.
Measuring Environmental Impact

The initiative investigates urban heat, biodiversity, air quality and circular resource management. Volunteers and researchers collect environmental data and contribute to activities such as biodiversity surveys and compost monitoring.

The project reports that wood-chip mulch has reduced soil temperatures by 3–8°C, illustrating how landscape-management strategies can help address urban heat. Its research-based approach connects ecological action with practical evidence.

Community Participation and Knowledge Sharing

Residents and volunteers are active contributors to the project. Through citizen science, environmental monitoring and collaborative governance, the initiative creates opportunities for people to participate in shaping their surroundings.

Its tools and methods are intended to be shared with other communities, allowing similar approaches to be adapted in different urban contexts.

A More Resilient Urban Future

Circular by Nature demonstrates how landscape, resource management and community participation can work together to support more sustainable cities. Its recognition through the 2026 New European Bauhaus Champions awards highlights the potential of local initiatives to combine ecological responsibility with inclusive participation and the quality of urban life.