Reuse, reduce & recycle : planning for sustainable solid waste management in Stone Town - Zanzibar
Abstract: In the low-income countries of the world, rapid urbanization and decaying infrastructure results in an increasingly unsustainable situation when it comes to solid waste management. Often, the solution tends to focus on introducing technical advanced interventions based on the conditions of the high-income world. However, this thesis aims to find site-specific solutions on solid waste management at a local scale. By taking in consideration of local conditions a customized approach is possible where the solution is not dependent on expensive structural changes. The starting point has been to build a solid waste management strategy based on existing conditions and patterns. A case study has been performed in Stone Town, Zanzibar, which demonstrates how to analyze and create a solid waste management strategy based on local conditions. The result reveals that in order to improve the system of solid waste management the whole process must be taken into consideration. Separation of waste close to source proved to be the most effective way of reducing waste going for final disposal. Since the waste of Zanzibar Town consists of 85% organic material, composting is a suitable method of processing waste. In order to process waste close to source, and thereby reduce the transportation costs, the collection point was given a more prominent role. Two types of collection points were developed, a large and a small one. The large collection point facilitates waste processing at the same time as it serves as a public space, a social hub in the society. The social values are of large importance for making the citizens engaged in the process. Also aesthetical values affect the behavior of people. By raising the aesthetical appearance of decaying places, informal dumping may be prevented. In this field landscape architecture can contribute by linking green structure, social values and aesthetical aspects to solid waste management.
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