Recycling Neighborhood Centre.

Abstract

This thesis proposes the development of a Neighbourhood-Level Community Recycling Centre as a future-oriented urban solution to decentralized waste management. The centre is envisioned not only as a functional recycling facility but also as a community hub that fosters environmental responsibility, civic participation, and circular economy principles at the grassroots level. By localizing recycling activities within neighbourhoods, the centre ensures that daily household waste is processed and recycled on-site, drastically reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills and lowering the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Architecturally, the project integrates multi-functional spaces that include sorting and processing zones and upcycling workshops, and community engagement areas. The centre encourages resident participation, supporting behavioural change toward segregation and reuse, while also creating dignified employment opportunities for informal waste workers. This thesis aims to demonstrate that recycling centres can be aesthetically integrated, socially inclusive, and ecologically impactful when designed at the neighbourhood scale. The proposed model serves as a replicable prototype for urban areas, particularly in rapidly growing cities like Bengaluru, where waste management is a critical environmental challenge.