Urban Recycling Center - A Recycling District Along Suzhou's Ancient Canal

Abstract

The relationship between architecture, waste and city is inextricably linked but full of problems throughout China and in specific Chinese cities. Today, the production and consumption of goods and foods are the most extensive in human history. Waste generation continues to increase with the growth in consumption. The issue of waste then comes because of the unsustainability of the development model and waste management that harms environmental and social balances. The thesis critiques the current waste management system in Chinese cities which is a necessary but undesirable invisible infrastructure. The thesis aims to generate a sustainable system of waste management within the design of public space, architecture and city. The goal of the thesis is to encourage the public and waste pickers to work together to reinforce each other through architecture. The thesis will seek to tightly link public activities and waste process through the merging of architecture and landscape to create public engagement and break the physical and mental ‘border’ between the public and waste.