Circular Economy Integration in Urban Transport Planning: A Case Study of Kochi, India

Rapid urbanisation and rising transport-sector emissions have intensified the search for sustainable urban mobility solutions. The Circular Economy (CE) offers a regenerative alternative to linear transport planning by promoting resource efficiency, material reuse, electrification, and multimodal integration. This paper examines how CE principles can be embedded in urban transport planning, with Kochi, Kerala, as the primary case study. Drawing on a systematic literature review, analysis of national and state policies, three international case studies (Amsterdam, Norway’s GoGreen Project, and Zurich), and a primary user survey across three mobility zones in Kochi (Vyttila, Kakkanad, and Fort Kochi), the study evaluates the extent of CE integration in existing transport infrastructure. Findings indicate that CE-aligned strategies such as multimodal integration, electric mobility adoption, shared transport systems, and waterway-based commuting are already demonstrating measurable positive outcomes in Kochi’s mobility landscape. However, significant gaps persist in material recovery systems, non-motorised transport (NMT) infrastructure, last-mile connectivity, and circular procurement. The paper proposes targeted recommendations for strengthening CE-integrated transport planning in medium-sized Indian cities, contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable urban mobility in the Global South.