IAAC Joins CiD Tallinn Conference

Exploring the Future of Circular Economy & Cities: IAAC contributes to CiD Tallinn conference on circular built environment, from vision to implementation

The built environment stands at the center of today’s climate and resource challenges, but it also represents one of the greatest opportunities for systemic transformation. Nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions stem from the construction, operation, and demolition of buildings (UN, 2020), with additional environmental pressure coming from mobility and the everyday tools that support urban life. As cities continue to expand, the need for innovative, circular approaches has never been more urgent.

Against this backdrop, IAAC took part in the CiD Tallinn Conference on September 12, an event dedicated to rethinking how we design, build, and inhabit our cities through the lens of the circular economy. The event convened leading voices from the public and private sectors, including architects, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs who are shaping the next era of sustainable urbanism.

The conference is rooted in the work of the CiD, Circular Design Innovation Alliance, whose mission is to promote regenerative practices, new business models, and material innovations capable of supporting carbon-neutral and inclusive urban futures. Hosted by the Tallinn Business Incubator, the event provided a platform for showcasing emerging techniques and real-world applications that are accelerating circular transition across Europe.

Throughout the sessions, participants explored pioneering projects and material innovations, from bio-based composites to mycelium technologies, and engaged in discussions on scalable strategies for circular construction and design. Speakers included Independent Strategy Consultant and former Ellen MacArthur Foundation Project Manager Tim Stonemeijer; Ditte Lysgaard Vind from BLOXHUB Copenhagen; Deputy Director of Observatorio2030-CSCAE Sergio García-Gasco Lominchar; spatial design expert Kaidi Põldoja; Markus Hääl from Hundipea District; Siim Karro from Myceen; and Dr. Renee Puusepp from Creatomus Solutions. Their contributions showed the importance of cross-sector collaboration and highlighted how ambitious visions can be turned into actionable pathways.

For IAAC’s Digital Matter students selected to participate in the accompanying accelerator program, the conference was particularly enriching. After pitching their startup concepts on Demo Day, students had the opportunity to learn from industry leaders operating at the forefront of circular innovation. These interactions allowed them to deepen their understanding of the market, refine their ideas, and establish meaningful connections with professionals who are actively shaping policy, technology, and practice.
Beyond the formal sessions, informal conversations, networking moments, and project showcases created an environment where students, researchers, and practitioners could learn from one another, exchange insights, and explore potential collaborations.

IAAC’s participation in the CiD Tallinn Conference highlights its ongoing commitment to advancing circularity in architecture and design, supporting emerging innovators, and contributing to the collective transition toward regenerative, resilient cities.

Find out more about the project on the website: https://www.cid-innovationalliance.eu/ or follow us on instagram @cid.innovationalliance

Image Credits: Tallinn Business Incubator

Partners: Leibniz University Hannover, IAAC, University of Genoa, ARCES, Ersilia Foundation, Architekturos Fondas, Architects’ Council of Europe, ALDA, Tallinn Business Incubators, Materiom, CNR and Ellen McArthur Foundation