Picture the scene: a beautiful new property development boasting the latest in style and design for high density living. However, the residents might have desirable homes but the view out of the windows – a clutch of commercial bins – might be less pleasing, simply because the architects and developers failed to extend their creativity to waste management.
Dr David Gillett is an executive director of Taylor. He is working in a number of major cities across the world to introduce best practice waste and recycling strategies into their new and existing developments.
What's missing from this picture is better dialogue and collaboration between architects, planners, developers, property management companies, and the waste management sector. By working together, we can develop designs that make household recycling and waste management simple, efficient and in keeping with people's lifestyle aspirations. Well designed and covenient waste and recycling containment systems with adequate capacity play an important role in developing attractive neighbourhoods that nurture positive community spirit, as well as helping to keep crime rates down.
Two mind shifts are needed to make this happen. Architects, planners and developers need to be well informed about modern, attractive and low carbon waste and recycling containment/collection systems, and local authority planning, regeneration and housing departments need to communicate regularly with the waste and recycling departments.
Futuresource 2009 (June 9-11, London ExCeL) is taking a lead on the development of industry partnerships and as part of this push, one of the free seminars on Wednesday 10th is entitled ‘Are Architects Rubbish at Designing for Rubbish?'. In this session, waste sector representatives will be talking with architects and the construction sector about best practice in waste collection, container and system design, space saving systems, and routes to raising recycling through improved urban design. This dialogue will hopefully signal the start of a whole new approach to urban planning and revolutionise the way some architects and developers approach waste infrastructure.
The Code for Sustainable Homes has and will continue to provide a massive push in the right direction. But it is about more than just meeting the latest legislation and guidance. People want to be good neighbours and play their part in tackling climate change and it is in the gift of the waste and construction sectors to help them do this. It's time to talk.
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