Written by Nienke de Jong for the Progress Playbook
Cities are at the forefront of the global sustainability challenge. Covering just 3% of the earth’s landmass, they generate 70% of global CO2 emissions and consume 75% of the world’s energy. With 84% of Europeans projected to live in cities by 2050, urban areas must rethink how resources are used, how space is managed, and how communities are supported. One solution gaining traction is the ‘sharing city’ model—an urban strategy that prioritises access over ownership to reduce waste, lower costs, and strengthen social ties.
A shift from ownership to access: The sharing city model integrates shared infrastructure, services, and resources into urban life, making it easier for residents to borrow instead of buy. A key component is the sharing station — smart infrastructure that allows citizens to access and return shared goods seamlessly.
From tool libraries and rental hubs to peer-to-peer networks, these initiatives enable city dwellers to reduce consumption while maintaining convenience and affordability.
Why it matters: The average Western consumer owns around 10,000 items, many of which are rarely used. For instance, Belgian photographer Barbara Iweins, who documented every object in her home over four years, discovered she had 12,795 possessions and realised she could live without 99% of them.
By enabling people to borrow tools, appliances, and sports equipment as needed, cities can help residents save money, reduce clutter, and cut down on waste. Research from Co-operatives UK also shows that 80% of participants in sharing initiatives report greater happiness, highlighting the social benefits of shared access models.
European cities leading the way: Cities across Europe are embedding sharing practices into urban infrastructure to curb overconsumption and improve sustainability. Sweden has actively positioned itself as a leader in this space, launching the national programme ‘Sharing Cities Sweden’ with a €12 million budget (2017–2021) to develop testbeds and strategic initiatives.
Building on these efforts, Gothenburg introduced subsidies for organisations promoting circular and sharing economies, supporting local projects that reduce waste and improve accessibility.
One standout initiative is Fritidsbanken Sverige, a non-profit association that collects unused sports equipment and redistributes it free of charge. These banks, typically funded by municipalities, promote active leisure while reducing waste.
Meanwhile, in Jyväskylä, Finland, residential buildings have set up tool-sharing systems, allowing residents to borrow items from communal storage areas rather than purchasing seldom-used tools.
The rise of sharing stations: A defining feature of the sharing city model is the sharing station — a smart infrastructure solution designed for seamless access to shared goods. Across Europe, 1,325 sharing stations are in operation, with a 70% increase in deployment between 2023 and 2024.
London, a pioneer of this movement, has 117 active sharing stations, offering a diverse range of items, from household appliances to sports gear. Paris (105 stations) and Lausanne (43 stations) have introduced similar initiatives, integrating shared access points into urban environments to make borrowing more convenient.
Meanwhile, a wave of start-ups is expanding the concept, offering services such as shared umbrellas for rainy days and communal paddle-boards for sunny ones.
What’s next: For the sharing city model to reach its full potential, local governments must integrate sharing infrastructure into urban planning. While initiatives like Gothenburg’s subsidy scheme demonstrate how cities can support sharing, broader adoption requires systemic policy shifts. This includes prioritising shared infrastructure in new developments, incentivising businesses to adopt circular models, and raising public awareness of the benefits of shared consumption.
Embedding a sharing mindset into urban development not only reduces waste but also strengthens community bonds and enhances liveability. As cities continue to innovate and collaborate, the sharing economy offers a pathway to more sustainable and connected urban living.
Help us pioneer a sharing economy
We’re reimagining ownership in our cities by supporting municipalities, housing associations, and solution providers in piloting sharing solutions that foster a circular approach to material use.
