Demolition: Exploring the Dualities of Destruction
Is demolition an act of violence or a step into the future? I went for a walk the other day. That time I chose to stroll along the central square. As always, I watched the buildings and streets along the way. Turning my head to the right, I noticed a construction site. It has been going on for some time, but until now, I have not thought of the significance of the concept that defines the idea of this construction - the demolition of a building.
Is it a good or a bad thing? Do we care about buildings that look like they lived their life, or do we declare them too old and replace them with newer, friendlier structures?
Let us take a look at some data. According to Outlook, construction and demolition (C and D) waste is one of the top sources of pollution and environmental degradation globally. For example, the planned demolition of London’s flagship M&S store will release 40,000 tonnes of CO2 into the air. Is it a lot? Picture a football field, and then imagine a round balloon with one end lined up on the goal line and the other on the 9 meters line – that is, a balloon with a diameter of 9 meters. If that balloon was filled with CO2, it would weigh about 1 ton.
Waste is produced on construction sites during every phase of the building life cycle. Mainly emissions are created during the assembly of construction materials- such as steel, cement, bricks, glass, aluminum, and plastics. Destroying and rebuilding form double emissions by necessitating the manufacture of two lots of building materials. Research indicates that in New Zealand, C&D waste could make up to 50% of all waste that is sent to landfills. This reveals that about 1.7 million tonnes of C&D waste are disposed of in landfills annually. It is a notable amount of waste to bury, which not only results in wasting precious resources but also takes up valuable landfill and cleanfill space, leading to environmental crises like air and water pollution. The issue is expected to worsen as consumer spending increases and waste disposal remains relatively inexpensive, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Why would one even think of demolishing a building, then? What makes the demolition of a building necessary? Generally, the reasons for putting down a building include cases when it becomes a hazard or when an additional structure needs to replace the existing one. Demolition also becomes a better option as sustaining the installation, repairs, and maintenance, are far more expensive than reconstructing the establishment after demolition. Therefore, it is easier to rebuild the structure.
The issue is complicated. In places such as the City of London, there is often pressure to capitalize on the high value of land by knocking down and building tall. And some developers state that many buildings cannot be kept and reformed.
What can be done about it, and what should we pay close attention to when hearing about another demolition in our city? We should facilitate environmental awareness among those involved in building demolition and deconstruction to maximize the amount of material recovered.
One of the main concepts to be familiar with is the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Applying the three Rs of waste minimization to practices will lower the volume of waste going to landfills, lower the demand for new materials, and conserve precious materials for future generations. Preventing waste from being created in the first place is the best way to reduce waste. And when products cannot be reused, the components or materials should be developed to be reclaimed at the end of their initial service.
It is helpful to know the benefits of such actions. Enterprises can earn revenue from salvaged building parts. A high level of client satisfaction could enhance the company’s image and encourage repeat business. Reduced waste decreases risks from deconstruction and allows for the correct removal and disposal of hazardous materials such as asbestos.
In conclusion, I shall note that the demolition of buildings is a risky and not always justified action, and even if the deconstruction is inevitable, we can still optimize it and, this way, minimize the negative consequences for society and the planet.
Bibliography:
“‘Demolition Is an Act of Violence’: The Architects Reworking Buildings Instead of Tearing Them Down.” The Guardian, 16 Aug. 2022, www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/aug/16/demolition-is-an-act-of-violence-the-architects-reworking-buildings-instead-of-tearing-them-down.
“Advantages and Disadvantages of Demolishing Old Buildings.” Hometown Demolition, www.hometowndemolitioncontractors.com/blog/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-demolishing-old-buildings.
Harrabin, Roger. “Climate Change: Mps Say Building Demolitions Must Be Reduced.” BBC News, 26 May 2022, www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-61580979.
Construction & Demolition Waste Best Practice Strategies - Zero Waste, www.zerowastedesign.org/02-building-design/fa-construction-demolition-waste-best-practice-strategies/.
Waste Reduction – Demolition - D39d3mj7qio96p.Cloudfront.Net, d39d3mj7qio96p.cloudfront.net/media/documents/REBRI_Waste_Reduction_-_Demolition.pdf.
Cover source: https://photos.com/art/demolition