We spend six days in Germany traveling first to Dessay and then to Freiburg im Breisgau to experience diverse approaches to circular economy in Germany.
Dessau
After arriving in Dessau, we had some time to explore the old city center and enjoy dinner in a historic restaurant.
On our first full day in Germany, we met with the city of Dessau and explored an anaerobic digester, before visiting the Bauhaus Dessau and several Masterwork Houses in Dessau. 2019 marks the Centennial of the Bauhaus design movement, marking no better time to visit some of the first conceptual approaches to designing sustainable cities.
The next day, we met with officials at the German Federal Environment Agency Umweltbundesamt (UBA). The UBA is not only an exciting building, but also initiator of leading research in the circular economy in Germany.
Then, we rode the German high speed rail from Dessau to get to Freiburg and had lunch in the restaurant car while riding through the country at over 150 mph — powered, of course, by green electricity.
Freiburg
In Freiburg, we visited various circular economy lighthouse projects of the metro region, including the Freiburg Cup, learning about Vauban, visiting the Energieberg Eichelbuck, and learning about the energetic use of grass cuttings.
We also met with circular economy experts and city officials.
