A Multi-Level Perspective: Construction and Demolition Waste Management System : Case Study: Bengaluru

Abstract: A significant proportion of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is encompassed within the broader category of global waste. The handling of C&D waste is subject to the influence of a tripartite of environmental, social, and economic factors. An extensive comprehension of C&D waste management can be attained by examining the construction industry, waste management, transportation, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The escalating aggregate demand and landfill practices significantly threaten developing nations' natural resources, despite the national government's regulatory measures. The present study employed a qualitative research approach and a multi-level perspective (MLP) framework to investigate the various actors, factors, and levels that impact the management of C&D waste. The present analysis relates independently to investigating lock-in determinants, encompassing exogenous and endogenous pressures and socio-technical transitions. Bengaluru's management of C&D waste encompasses a diverse array of stakeholders, including real estate organizations, urban development agencies, construction firms, both formal and informal markets, a solitary C&D processing plant situated at the periphery of the city, unapproved landfills located in abandoned stone quarries, local transportation providers, governance bodies, and low-carbon building methodologies. Furthermore, it is imperative to note that there exist significant deficiencies in the execution of C&D waste management by established protocols, as well as their enforcement. This is compounded by an acute shortage of facilities for the collection and disposal of such waste, insufficient vehicular resources at the disposal of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), limited participation from stakeholders, negative attitudes towards the effective use of recycled materials and the repurposing of building components, a lack of incentivisation and punitive measures, inadequate awareness among proprietors and constructors of private edifices, and the indiscriminate dumping of C&D waste, which has led to the obstruction of commuting and communal well being. The effects of landfills on wildlife, such as avian migration and urban inundation, have prompted a transition towards more ecologically sound management of C&D waste in Bengaluru. Formulating sustainable strategies for managing C&D waste in Bengaluru is encouraged to incorporate socio-economic and environmental factors, business models, and governmental cooperation. The importance of sharing information, the power of nudging people to alter their habits, and the value of considering new approaches to building are also highlighted.