Advancing circularity in a Chilean neighborhood through the water-waste-energy nexus: A stakeholder analysis

• Considering the water-waste-energy nexus, we investigate circularity in the urban built environment at the neighborhood level from a stakeholder perspective. • Stakeholders' interest in the transformation is mainly driven by water scarcity. • Government agencies were identified as Key Players with the greatest potential to influence transformation. • Key Players who act as stakeholder hubs should be engaged early on in the transformation. • Change of current governance structures is essential, particularly at the interface of water-waste and waste-energy. The nexus approach supports the implementation of a circular economy in the built environment by leveraging synergies across water, waste and energy flows. Though the technical aspects of innovative water-waste-energy systems have been investigated, less attention has been given to how stakeholders can shape and drive the required circular transformation. This study systematically analyzed stakeholders’ interest and influence, as well as their institutional interplay, through the use of a mixed-methods approach to a future urban household complex in Central Chile. The identified Key Players included governmental organizations with the potential to act as urban developers, technical advisors, regulators, and policy advocates. A stakeholder network analysis revealed the dynamics of cooperative interdependencies, as well as a need to strengthen and broaden cross-sectoral collaboration across water-waste-energy and housing and urbanism, especially at a regulatory level, to advance the nexus. These insights contribute to policymaking and the development of tailored stakeholder participation strategies.