In recent years, under the norms of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the municipal corporation took an initiative at the policy level to remove dustbins from every crossroad (Chaurah) in correspondence to any colony in order to preserve the unhindered originality of the streetscape. Not only architects, but social scientists have also researched behavioral aspects related to spaces and have worked extensively on this topic, justifying ways to influence human behavior associated with a given space. Various social experiments have been conducted to understand social changes. A study was conducted to explore how social scientists in other countries have worked to assign collection points within the urban fabric. Case studies were carried out in various cities on urban design strategies and techniques, which include replacing pre-existing scattered (unplanned) collection points with landscaping and architectural elements (graffiti, sit-outs, etc.), thereby creating designated collection points in every colony rather than conventional streetside pick-up points. The issue of littering persists, establishing a connection between sporadic waste disposal in undesignated areas and urban blight. The problem persists with the collection points and not with the people; thus, a slight alteration in the positioning of collection points (a designated space) can be a possible solution to this issue.
From Elegance to Eyesore: Investigating the Need for Effective Waste Collection Points and Revitalizing Urban Voids
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License
Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Journal of Architecture and Theory.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Key words
Collection points, Architectural elements, Street littering, Urban blight, Urban fabric, Urban Voids
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