Circular Economy Hubs for Sustainable Coastal Development: Adaptive Governance in Artisanal Fishing Communities in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: This study proposes and analyzes Circular Economy Centers (CECs) as frameworks for territorial governance to integrate the circular economy, adaptive governance, and socio-ecological resilience in artisanal fishing communities.   Theoretical Framework: The empirical study focuses on Piratininga Lagoon and Itaipu Beach in Niterói (RJ) and was conducted in partnership with the Niterói Municipal Government as part of a Ph.D. program in Production Engineering.                                  Method: An exploratory-interpretive qualitative design was adopted, combining participatory action research, semi-structured interviews (n=24), and the eight stages of the Momentum Method—a prospective decision-support framework for complex socio-ecological systems—with SWOT analysis, an influence × impact matrix, and the construction of prospective scenarios.   Results and Conclusion: The CECs, structured around four pillars—circular infrastructure, productive valorization, adaptive governance, and institutional partnerships—demonstrate significant potential for territorial transformation. The Adaptive Coastal Transformation Scenario projects a 55–65% reduction in illegal waste disposal, the creation of 40–60 direct green jobs, and a 25–35% increase in household income over five years.   Originality/value: The originality of this research lies in the unprecedented integration of the Momentum Method with the design of circular coastal infrastructures (CCIs). The study breaks new ground by applying a mathematical and prospective decision-support model to the adaptive governance of traditional fishing territories.