waste-scape
solid waste management and recycling opportunities, the urban challenge
mumbai / curitiba
CONCLUSIONS
a better future possible?
The differences between Curitiba and Mumbai are
clear, both in scale and density of population. More
importantly, there is a clear difference in the
structures of governance of both cities, and the
political will to promote change.
However, there is a clear opportunity to learn from
Curitiba, from the inner organization of the waste
management in squatter areas, to the different
programs to engage the inhabitants of these areas,
to training and education, and of course, to the
implementation of a recycling network throughout
the city.
The current situation in Mumbai calls for direct and
structured implication of the population with the
waste management. This seems the only possible
way for slum dwellers to improve their living
conditions and ensure their members‘ health.
Facing the lack of resources and even ideas coming
from the public authorities, the responsibility to set
up inner organizational structures in slums lies on
the NGO’s. However this should only serve as a
transitional stage in the self organization of these
communities, and not as a dependent tie to an
again outer imposed order.
clear, both in scale and density of population. More
importantly, there is a clear difference in the
structures of governance of both cities, and the
political will to promote change.
However, there is a clear opportunity to learn from
Curitiba, from the inner organization of the waste
management in squatter areas, to the different
programs to engage the inhabitants of these areas,
to training and education, and of course, to the
implementation of a recycling network throughout
the city.
The current situation in Mumbai calls for direct and
structured implication of the population with the
waste management. This seems the only possible
way for slum dwellers to improve their living
conditions and ensure their members‘ health.
Facing the lack of resources and even ideas coming
from the public authorities, the responsibility to set
up inner organizational structures in slums lies on
the NGO’s. However this should only serve as a
transitional stage in the self organization of these
communities, and not as a dependent tie to an
again outer imposed order.
In addition, the city needs to consider urgently the increase the number of recycling facilities in different points of
the city to minimize the amount of garbage arriving to the municipal dumps everyday.
The public authorities should foster the creation of industries devoted to recycle that could be placed in installations
of old mills and manufactures, and promote incentives to clean industries.
As seen in Curitiba, this should involve public and private partnerships: waste must be labeled as a business to draw
the attention of young and already established entrepreneurs.
the city to minimize the amount of garbage arriving to the municipal dumps everyday.
The public authorities should foster the creation of industries devoted to recycle that could be placed in installations
of old mills and manufactures, and promote incentives to clean industries.
As seen in Curitiba, this should involve public and private partnerships: waste must be labeled as a business to draw
the attention of young and already established entrepreneurs.
And finally education targeting both children and adults. As we saw in Curitiba children are
the seed for the future, but they are also the present. This is perhaps the only way to promote change when the
everyday routine has otherwise trained people to accumulate waste in the space that is not under their direct
possession.
the seed for the future, but they are also the present. This is perhaps the only way to promote change when the
everyday routine has otherwise trained people to accumulate waste in the space that is not under their direct
possession.
Street and dumpsite rag pickers, and door to door waste collectors currently participate in the solid waste
management network of both cities.
In the case of Mumbai, however, the municipal corporation does not give sufficient recognition and support to the
informal recycling networks in solid waste management.
The idea is to legitimize the role of the informal waste recycling network within the municipal solid waste
management; that would help dealing with city cleaning and urban poverty at the same time. A waste recycling
program would contribute in giving a sense of acceptance and respect toward the population involve in these
activities.
As Curitiba did, Mumbai should target a public awareness program about the value of recycling.
‘Through citizen empowerment and education it is possible to implement an effective waste management program
that creates employment for marginalized people and addresses environmental and social concerns1’.
[1]. Sneha Palnitkar
management network of both cities.
In the case of Mumbai, however, the municipal corporation does not give sufficient recognition and support to the
informal recycling networks in solid waste management.
The idea is to legitimize the role of the informal waste recycling network within the municipal solid waste
management; that would help dealing with city cleaning and urban poverty at the same time. A waste recycling
program would contribute in giving a sense of acceptance and respect toward the population involve in these
activities.
As Curitiba did, Mumbai should target a public awareness program about the value of recycling.
‘Through citizen empowerment and education it is possible to implement an effective waste management program
that creates employment for marginalized people and addresses environmental and social concerns1’.
[1]. Sneha Palnitkar
If only a major strategy in the city aimed to actively incorporate the poor in the improvement of the urban
environment,
the opportunities for a major change would be in the hands of the majority of the population, a 55% that deeply
believe in Mumbai as the place for making a better life.
The slums are already supporting the city and its economy, and the changes to happen should take advantage of the
existing structure and the way it operates. The fact that the slums are extended all over the geography of the city
brings a lot of potential for them to develop a comprehensive network operating not only in economic terms but in
other social and environmental ones.
Looking at Curitiba we learnt that no isolated measure will work: the city is a complex organism and all different
systems need to come together to work well. Decent housing, efficient transportation, work opportunities,
environmental concerns… All they work together and need to be planned together.
When rethinking Mumbai we need to plan processes and not final products, understanding social and cultural
specificities.
environment,
the opportunities for a major change would be in the hands of the majority of the population, a 55% that deeply
believe in Mumbai as the place for making a better life.
The slums are already supporting the city and its economy, and the changes to happen should take advantage of the
existing structure and the way it operates. The fact that the slums are extended all over the geography of the city
brings a lot of potential for them to develop a comprehensive network operating not only in economic terms but in
other social and environmental ones.
Looking at Curitiba we learnt that no isolated measure will work: the city is a complex organism and all different
systems need to come together to work well. Decent housing, efficient transportation, work opportunities,
environmental concerns… All they work together and need to be planned together.
When rethinking Mumbai we need to plan processes and not final products, understanding social and cultural
specificities.
As mentioned in the introduction, the interest in the topic emerged through the explorations and analysis
conducted for the design studio in Mumbai this semester.
The main focus of this studio was to look at the present and reformulate the future of the Mhada lands [the lands
owned by the public housing authority], once the city has decided to go denser and higher to deal with the need of
housing.
From the beginning the students were allowed to reframe the main focus of their investigation if still dealing with
the issues of housing for the poor, and other of social and environmental justice.
In our case, we decided to carefully look at the slums and try to contribute with a set of strategies to the already
extensive number of studies in the topic.
While looking at the slums we were specially concerned with the way waste is [not]managed in these areas of the
city and how some recycling practices were supporting the living of a wide number of slummers. It was another
aspect we decided to cover with our strategies: adding value to the more central residential proposals.
Learning from that, we explored the ways to incorporate recycling strategies in our design for Mumbai: recycling as
an economic resource for slum dwellers and for the better environmental condition of the city. Its possible
relationship with the railway system to ensure accessibility and mobility of materials could open a new path for the
city to explore.
conducted for the design studio in Mumbai this semester.
The main focus of this studio was to look at the present and reformulate the future of the Mhada lands [the lands
owned by the public housing authority], once the city has decided to go denser and higher to deal with the need of
housing.
From the beginning the students were allowed to reframe the main focus of their investigation if still dealing with
the issues of housing for the poor, and other of social and environmental justice.
In our case, we decided to carefully look at the slums and try to contribute with a set of strategies to the already
extensive number of studies in the topic.
While looking at the slums we were specially concerned with the way waste is [not]managed in these areas of the
city and how some recycling practices were supporting the living of a wide number of slummers. It was another
aspect we decided to cover with our strategies: adding value to the more central residential proposals.
Learning from that, we explored the ways to incorporate recycling strategies in our design for Mumbai: recycling as
an economic resource for slum dwellers and for the better environmental condition of the city. Its possible
relationship with the railway system to ensure accessibility and mobility of materials could open a new path for the
city to explore.
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Final remarks
Source of images:
[1-2] Flickr: Dharabi, Adrian Fisk at http://flickr.com/photos/adrianfisk
[3-4] Maria Arquero, trip to Mumbai
[1-2] Flickr: Dharabi, Adrian Fisk at http://flickr.com/photos/adrianfisk
[3-4] Maria Arquero, trip to Mumbai