Katalin Koncz
Australia

"If you're interested in sustainability, circular economy, or urban planning, this course is an invaluable stepping stone toward making a tangible impact!"

Katalin Koncz is a teacher and business owner from Australia. She participated in the online course Circular Economy for a Sustainable Built Environment. Read about her experience.

What was your motivation for enrolling in this course/program?
I enrolled in this TU Delft online course to deepen my knowledge of circular economy and urban resource flows, particularly in waste management and sustainable urban planning. My background is in education and management, and I am also the founder of Upcycling Barcelona, a sustainable textile and furniture project in Barcelona.

For the past 11 years, I have been working to introduce Australian circular economy practices—such as Reverse Garbage, charity shops, and Junk Maps (salvage yards)—into Catalonia. I was looking for a course that could help me expand my expertise, learn structured methodologies, and transition into a more sustainability-focused career. The flexibility of online learning was also a key factor in my decision.

How did/will this course impact your career or life?
This course has broadened my perspective on sustainability, providing practical, real-world applications that go beyond theory. It has helped me understand how to map value chains, identify intervention points for circularity, and analyze urban flow systems.

The knowledge I gained hopefully can directly be applicable to my work and has strengthened my ability to advocate for sustainable practices, design circular solutions, and contribute to more responsible urban management. It has also reinforced my commitment to expanding circular economy initiatives in Catalonia and beyond.

How was your experience of learning online?
I found the quality of the course content to be excellent, with well-structured lessons, engaging assignments, and meaningful discussions with fellow learners. The ability to work flexibly while still gaining practical insights was invaluable.

One of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects was applying the course concepts to real-world case studies, such as our own city's waste flow management. This hands-on approach made the learning experience more immersive and impactful.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking of taking a similar course?
For anyone considering a TU Delft online course, I highly recommend it! It’s flexible, well-structured, and deeply insightful. My advice would be to engage actively with the discussions, apply the concepts to real-world situations, and take the time to reflect on how these ideas can be implemented in your own professional or personal projects.

If you're interested in sustainability, circular economy, or urban planning, this course is an invaluable stepping stone toward making a tangible impact!