Salvaging Buildings

1. Why did you choose this topic?

Within the Turkish context, a ›construction project‹ encompasses both the demolition of existing structures and the construction of new buildings. Consequently, demolition becomes a quick solution to eradicate the existing environment as a result of top-down urban regeneration projects. My concern was what was happening to CDW (construction and demolition waste) in a setting where the circular economy and waste management infrastructure is inefficient.

2. What new perspectives does your book offer?

By focusing on assemblage thinking as a fundamental analytical and empirical paradigm, the book expands into new areas of inquiry such as nonhuman agency and ethnographic studies of survival maneuvers by (çikmacis) [reclaimers] as building salvagers. This approach aims to understand the livelihood of (çikmacis) and their relationship with their supply yards, second-hand market and waste materials.

3. What makes your topic relevant for current research debates?

With resources depleting as quickly as they are today, the entire life cycle of a building is a trending subject. Reuse has become one of the important environmental sustainability topics in urban planning and architecture. Although this pressing issue is at its highest, (çikmacis) do the dirty work of a circular economy yet remain unrecognized and invisible. The book offers an important insight to their informal salvaging activities practiced over decades discussing the materiality of CDW.

4. Choose one person you would like to discuss your book with!

Prof. Colin McFarlane.

5. Your book summary in one sentence:

The book is the first extensive study on informal building salvage and reuse in architecture in Turkey, focusing on (çikmacis) [reclaimers] whose livelihoods influenced by informal dynamics and waste's materiality.