What does it take to transition from linear to circular systems in urban planning and infrastructure? In this episode of Circular Coffee Break, Tuija Pakkanen, Portfolio Lead for Circular Growth and Business Renewal in Regenerative Living and Transport at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, shares her journey from forest management to shaping sustainable cities. With a background in geography, GIS, and digital twins, Tuija explores how data and innovation can drive systemic change in the built environment.
Tuija reflects on her work in Finland’s national digital twin for the built environment (RYHTI), the challenges of interoperability in urban planning, and the role of collaboration in scaling circular solutions. She discusses the importance of human-centric design, the balance between policy and bottom-up innovation, and why resilience, both in materials and knowledge, is critical for Europe’s future. From dismantling buildings to giving them a voice through digital tools, her work bridges the gap between research and real-world impact.
Why listen?
Whether you are a sustainability professional, urban planner, or simply curious about the future of circular cities, Tuija’s perspective offers a grounded and actionable take on rethinking how we build, live, and thrive.
Keywords: circular economy, regenerative living, sustainable urban planning, digital twins, built environment, GIS, interoperability, circular growth, resilience, VTT, Tuija Pakkanen, Circular Coffee Break, urban innovation, material reuse, data-driven sustainability, collaboration in sustainability
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