The management of the solid waste and the subsequent recycling policies are highly relevant topics regarding the
most basic concerns about environmental protection and public health in cities.
In developing countries the continuous rural exodus towards urban areas is exhausting the carrying capacity of
cities that were planned and designed for a much more contained growth.
The inability of these cities and their structures of governance to handle this massive arrival implies the
overcrowding of people living in unsanitary conditions lacking access to the most basic facilities.
The lack of a basic network of waste management and recycling contributes to the severe pollution of soil, water,
and air, causing illnesses and death to the population, and the as well irreversible damage to the already fragile
urban ecosystem.
This research works together with the explorations for the design studio ‘Mumbai Margins: Rethinking the Island
City’, fall 07, in the department of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, The aim is to
reflect on the implications of solid waste management for the health of the urban ecosystem and the promotion of
urban biodiversity.
most basic concerns about environmental protection and public health in cities.
In developing countries the continuous rural exodus towards urban areas is exhausting the carrying capacity of
cities that were planned and designed for a much more contained growth.
The inability of these cities and their structures of governance to handle this massive arrival implies the
overcrowding of people living in unsanitary conditions lacking access to the most basic facilities.
The lack of a basic network of waste management and recycling contributes to the severe pollution of soil, water,
and air, causing illnesses and death to the population, and the as well irreversible damage to the already fragile
urban ecosystem.
This research works together with the explorations for the design studio ‘Mumbai Margins: Rethinking the Island
City’, fall 07, in the department of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, The aim is to
reflect on the implications of solid waste management for the health of the urban ecosystem and the promotion of
urban biodiversity.
waste-scape
solid waste management and recycling opportunities, the urban challenge
mumbai / curitiba
ABSTRACT
The research outlines the solid waste management networks in the city of Mumbai , the current recycling initiatives
and the future challenges trying to involve both ‘formal and informal’ population in the process.
The main focus will stay in the slum areas of the city, as the most fragile points in the network. These informal
settlements are evenly spread all over the city, so the unhealthy conditions attached to them are.
As the pledge of a possible better future the research explores the case of Curitiba.
The waste collection programs and recycling initiatives implemented in the 80’s and 90’s are a successful model
serving as inspiration to other cities throughout the world.
The paper builds on the promise that some of the strategies implemented and doing well in Curitiba could serve
as a model for Mumbaikers in the future to come.
In addition the following lines should serve to address the need for planning and design strategies to offer urgent
and durable solutions, and to foster the interactive citizens’ participation.
Source of images
Maria Arquero, trip to Mumbai ‘A convenient truth: Urban Solutions from Curitiba’. DVD
and the future challenges trying to involve both ‘formal and informal’ population in the process.
The main focus will stay in the slum areas of the city, as the most fragile points in the network. These informal
settlements are evenly spread all over the city, so the unhealthy conditions attached to them are.
As the pledge of a possible better future the research explores the case of Curitiba.
The waste collection programs and recycling initiatives implemented in the 80’s and 90’s are a successful model
serving as inspiration to other cities throughout the world.
The paper builds on the promise that some of the strategies implemented and doing well in Curitiba could serve
as a model for Mumbaikers in the future to come.
In addition the following lines should serve to address the need for planning and design strategies to offer urgent
and durable solutions, and to foster the interactive citizens’ participation.
Source of images
Maria Arquero, trip to Mumbai ‘A convenient truth: Urban Solutions from Curitiba’. DVD
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