A Research Framework for Designing Waterborne Passenger Mobility Ecosystems That Enable Smart Circular Strategies

Waterborne mobility has the potential to contribute to more sustainable cities by reducing traffic congestion, energy consumption, noise, and pollution emissions. However, there are still challenges to fully exploit its sustainability benefits. Digitalization can play a key role in supporting circular strategies and promoting a holistic approach that extends circularity from an ecosystem perspective, fostering long-term, comprehensive, sustainable solutions. The chapter introduces an ongoing PhD research project exploring how design strategies can support the stakeholders of the waterborne passenger mobility (WPM) ecosystem in fostering circular practices through digitalization. The study adopts a systemic approach, aiming to define the WPM ecosystem and identify key challenges and opportunities to leverage digital technologies in advancing the circular economy within the sector. The research objectives and questions, the methodological framework, preliminary findings, and anticipated contributions are detailed.