Technosols and Circular Economy: Revolutionizing Urban Soil Management

This Research Topic examines how technosols—engineered soils made by valorizing urban waste streams such as construction debris, biosolids, and industrial by-products—could transform urban soil management in line with Circular Economy principles. As urbanization increases pressure on natural resources, including limited topsoil, it is important to assess whether technosols can effectively and sustainably substitute for natural soils in urban settings. Using these materials can close resource loops within cities, improve resource efficiency, and reduce environmental impacts, for example by diverting waste from landfills. This Research Topic aims to comprehensively evaluate the potential of technosols to address pressing urban waste challenges and to simultaneously revitalize degraded city soils. The collection will delve into the potential to act as carbon sinks, improve soil health, and provide essential environmental services. By integrating waste materials into technosols, the collection will highlight pathways to reduce urban waste while simultaneously addressing soil degradation. The focus will be on understanding the interactions between technosols and urban ecosystems. We welcome submissions that rigorously assess the impacts on urban biodiversity and the mitigation of climate change effects. Articles can combine field experiments and Life Cycle Assessments with policy analysis, grounded in the historical evolution of soil management and the framework of the Circular Economy. The ultimate objective is to develop best practices for sustainable technosol integration into urban planning.We welcome submissions which focus on, but not limited to, the following topics:• Technosol performance and ecosystem services• Waste valorization for technosol design• Policy frameworks of technosols in urban planning• Public perception and acceptance of technosols• Life cycle assessment (LCA) of technosols• Environmental pollution and impact from technosols• Risk strategies and prevention associated with technosols use• Biodiversity and ecological functions of technosols, including microbial communities Topic editors: JOSE NAVARRO PEDREÑO, Eren Taskin, Teresa Rodríguez-Espinosa, Evangelia E. Golia, Karolina Lewinska Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76636/technosols-and-circular-economy-revolutionizing-urban-soil-management