Promoting the Circular Economy Model in an Emerging City: Lessons Learned from the Da Nang-Yokohama Partnership on Solid Waste Management

By emphasizing the need for co-creative international cooperation, mutual learning and innovation between developed and emerging economies, this paper presents a case study on a city-to-city partnership between the cities of Da Nang, Viet Nam and Yokohama, Japan, focusing on development of collaborative actions on waste source segregation and recycling. It outlines a four-stage model for developing a circular economy; focusing on solid waste management and recycling policies along with economic development. It then discusses the case of Da Nang, which also faces typical challenges in transitional governance to develop waste management and recycling policies for a circular economy. At the same time, through the Yokohama case study, it highlights the motivations and drivers for promoting recycling as a policy that are in common with those of Da Nang. It discusses how the collaboration between Yokohama and Da Nang has encouraged a step-by-step improvement in overcoming challenges in transitional governance toward a circular economy. Lastly, it suggests a step-by-step approach for enhancing such cooperation through similar partnerships.