LANDFILL TO LANDFORM - A STORY OF TRANSFORMATION
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A THESIS ON REGENERATION OF A LANDFILL
SUPERVISOR : PROF. STEFANO STABILINI CO-SUPERVISOR : PROF. LEONE MATTIA BY : LINDA ELSA BABY, MANALI SHAILESH JAMGAONKAR, SANSKRITI JINDAL MSc IN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN (2017-2019)
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, we are eternally grateful to God, for blessing and teaching us the invaluable lesson of perseverance throughout the course of this thesis. In realizing this study, we are thankful for the encouragement, support and constructive critique of Prof. Stefano Stabilini, who, by consistently and patiently guiding us through every stage, helped us in realizing this project. We have also benefitted immensely from our discussions with Prof. Manuel Quagliaroli and Prof. Mattia Leone, and are deeply thankful to them for all their insightful counsel and expertise. The need for this proposal was realized through our meeting with Mr.Khandelwal (Chief Engineering Officer,EDMC) , who made us aware of the shocking reality; and helped us by sharing his knowledge about the existing conditions of landfills in Delhi. We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our colleagues and juniors; especially Shalini, Tian, Ita, Pournima, Joseph, Putri and Shashwat, for their constant help and support. Finally, for being our unwavering support system, and for their patience, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our families.
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1. INTRODUCTION
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1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21
Waste: Can it be more than the end product? What is the anatomy of waste? Why should we tackle the issue of waste? Landfills: a problem or a resource? Parts of a landfill Municipal Solid waste life cycle management Relationship between air temperature-landfill temperature-rain The main problems of landfills How do landfills affect the society? How do landfills contribute to air pollution? Need and importance of landfill regeneration Story of landfills in India Decoding Delhi’s air pollution Landfill crisis of new Delhi Impacts of landfill sites on Delhi environment How to tackle Delhi’s issue of waste? Who contributes to landfills in Delhi? How to reduce waste disposal to landfills? The ultimate aim Landfills: a potential resource Closure of landfills
2.
CITY SCALE ANALYSIS
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14
Historical identity Urban development growth of Delhi Delhi’s landfills Ground water quality Geology Geomorphology Geohydrology Contours and active flood plain Delhi population density growth Delhi population density and MSW production Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (Ndvi) Normalized Difference Built Up Index (NDBI) Delhi’s Major Decommissioned Landfills Summary of key negative impacts of landfills
08 09 09 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 15 16 19 23 24 26 28 28 29 30 31
34 34 39 40 40 40 40 41 42 42 43 43 44 44
3.
NEIGHBOURHOOD SCALE ANALYSIS
3.1 3.2 3.3
Impact Intensity Of Landfill On Nature Ghazipur Sanitary Landfilla A Rising Mess
4.
SITE SCALE ANALYSIS
4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5
Neighbouring Spatial Fabric Existing Surrounding Landuse Existing Landforms On Site Sun And Wind Paths Emissions From Ghazipur Landfill Site
51 52 54
62 63 64 65 65
5. STRATEGIES 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26
Ariel Sharon Park, Tel Aviv, Israel Freshkills Park, Staten Island, New York Strategies - Site Scale Strategies For Site Sustainability Of Site Energy Utilization Strategy Waste Segregation And Utilization Strategy Industries Around Ghazipur For Recycling Timeline For Site Regeneration And Development Masterplan Masterplan Programming Landscape And Landform – Interpreting The Elements Topographical Characteristics And Manifestation Degrees Of Landscape Enclosure Plant Species And Selection Criteria Environments/ Habitats Created On Site Phyto Remediation Pond And Water Detention Basin Sections Timeline Of Development Hindon Cut Canal Walkway Live Museum The Train : Park As A Museum Projection Of Future Green+ Blue Infrastructure Vertical Expansion Of Landfills As A Model For The Future Collaboration With The Existing Yamuna River Project Projected Development Of Green And Blue Infrastructure
68 70 72 74 75 75 75 76 77 84 85 88
98 99 99 102 104 105 110 110 111 112
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“Indians are the Italians of Asia and vice versa. Every man in both countries is a singer when he is happy, and every woman is a dancer when she walks to the shop at the corner. For them, food is the music inside the body and music is the food inside the heart. ‘Amore’ or ‘Pyar’ makes every man a poet, a princess of a peasant girl if only for a second the eyes of the man and woman meet.” – Gregory David Roberts
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INTRODUCTION Enriched by successive waves of migration and marauders from distant lands, every one of them left an indelible imprint which was absorbed into the Indian way of life. To describe India is difficult but, to be indifferent to her is impossible. Today, India is the largest democracy in the world with Unity in Diversity. India is a country where Time meets Culture, and Culture defines everything. It is the seventh largest country in the world, with New Delhi as its capital; and the second most populated with 1.3 billion people. These people are spread over the 29 states and 9 union territories, with a large population spread across the world. These people follow the culture and traditions relating to one of the seven major religions of India – Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Parsi. The cities in India have been influenced by the Environmental, Economic and Social factors, that have shaped them to be the Metropoli they are today. All the major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta or Chennai, or others, were picked for development by the British colonisers due to their strategic locations along the coastline or for their good climatic conditions and fertile plains. In the case of Delhi, not only the climate was favorable, but it was also the seat of power of the ancient Mughal Empire. This development created an economic rise in the cities and more employment opportunities, which in turn brought an influx of people. As the cycle continued, the cities developed. Delhi is the capital city of India and is regarded as the heart of the nation. The city is popular for its enriched culture and heritage. It hosts some famous historical monuments and is developing with the passing of time. The capital city is divided into two sections popularly known as Purani Dilli or Old Delhi and Nayi Dilli or New Delhi. Old Delhi is popular for its ancient culture and monuments along with its overcrowded gastronomical lanes. New Delhi is the British designed part of the capital city. It has a pleasant contrast to the twisted streets of Old Delhi. Enriched with history and culture, the impressive avenues and imperial buildings attract people from all over the country.
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Despite Delhi’s cultural richness, the struggle against toxic pollution and production of waste has been very real. Another major threat that is faced by the city is, “What to do with its waste?”. Production of waste happens on a day-to-day basis, not just by homes, but also industries and institutions. Festivities also incur large production of waste. Due to the lack of space, and ignorance at large, people dump this waste in any empty piece of land they find, without segregation. This has become the ‘culture’ of waste disposal all over the country. The municipalities collect this waste and dump them in sanitary landfills, most of which are full beyond capacity and need to be decommissioned and covered.
WASTE: CAN IT BE MORE THAN THE END PRODUCT? Waste is any substance which is discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective and of no use. In nature, the concept of waste does not exist. In fact, in biological cycles whatever is discarded by one organism becomes a resource for other living beings so that nothing is wasted and everything is transformed. However, with the advent of the industrial revolution and the increase in the consumerist mentality, waste has also increased. The current productive models withdraw materials and energy from the environment to produce consumer goods, and the production of waste follows. This current trend is the Linear Economy. The production and disposal of waste creates manifold issues and problems on the Environmental, Economic and Social fronts, especially in the urban city landscapes. The waste we produce eventually accumulates and gets disposed off wherever there is an empty space. This in turn gets taken off and dumped in landfills. Although we expect action to be taken, not many people take initiative to deal with this issue. Hence, it is a problem that is ignored. But, like any problem that’s not dealt with, accumulating waste becomes not just an eye sore, but causes several environmental, social and health issues. It causes air, water and ground pollution; harms animals and human beings; and accumulated waste is hazardous as it can cause sudden fires or waste slides. In developing countries, like India, there are classes of people that segregate the waste but there is a social stigma attached to it. They form the lower class of the society’s hierarchical system.
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WHAT IS THE ANATOMY OF WASTE? -Household waste -Commercial waste -Agricultural waste -Manufacturing waste -Construction and demolition waste -Hazardous waste
WHY SHOULD WE TACKLE THE ISSUE OF WASTE? Waste also represents an economic loss and burden to our society. If we could use waste as a resource and thereby scale down the demand for extraction of new resources, it would help avert some of the impacts created along the chain. In this context, unused waste also represents a potential loss. The potential gains are immense. It would change the people’s perception towards waste, and this would lead to increased waste management. With nothing being ‘wasted’, we can move towards an ideal trend of the Circular Economy. The environmental gains would also be immense.
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LANDFILLS: A PROBLEM OR A RESOURCE? WHAT ARE LANDFILLS? A landfill is a carefully designed structure built into or on top of the ground, in which trash is separated from the area around it. This isolation is accomplished with the use of a bottom liner and daily covering of soil. They contain garbage and serve to prevent contamination between the waste and the surrounding environment, especially groundwater. Landfills are not designed to break down trash, merely to bury it. That’s because they contain minimal amounts of oxygen and moisture, which prevents trash from breaking down rapidly. So, landfills are carefully filled, monitored and maintained while they are active and for up to 30 years after they are closed.
TYPES OF LANDFILLS
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILL
BIOREACTOR LANDFILL
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INDUSTRIAL WASTE LANDFILL
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS LANDFILL
COAL COMBUSTION RESIDUAL LANDFILL
HAZARDOUS WASTE LANDFILL
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL LANDFILL
PARTS OF A LANDFILL
The main components of any secured, permitted landfill are: •Bottom liner — The bottom liner separates and prevents the buried waste from coming in contact with underlying natural soils and groundwater. In Municipal Solid Waste landfills, the bottom liners are generally constructed using some type of durable, puncture-resistant synthetic plastic HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) ranging from 30 to 100 mils thick. The plastic liners may also be designed with a combination of compacted clay soils, along with synthetic plastic. •Cells (old and new) — This is the area in a landfill that has been constructed and approved for disposal of waste. These cells range in size (depending upon total tons of waste received each day at the landfill) from a few acres to as large as 20+ acres. Inside these larger cells are smaller cells known as the daily workface, or sometimes referred to as cells. This is where the waste coming into the landfill for disposal that day is prepared by placing the material in layers or lifts where the waste is then compacted and shredded by heavy landfill compaction machinery. •Leachate collection system — The bottom of each landfill is typically designed so that the bottom surface of the landfill is sloped to a low point, called a sump. This is where any liquids that are trapped inside the landfill — known in the waste industry as leachate — are collected and removed from the landfill. The leachate collection system typically consists of a series of perforated pipes, gravel packs and a layer of sand or gravel placed in the bottom of the landfill. Once the leachate is removed from the sump, it is typically pumped or gravity-flowed to a holding tank or pond, where it is either treated on site or hauled off site to a public or private wastewater treatment facility. •Storm water drainage — This is an engineered system designed to control water runoff during rain or storm events. This is done by directing the runoff through a series of berms or ditches to holding areas known as sed ponds. In these ponds the runoff water flow is slowed down or held long enough to allow the suspended soil particles to settle out before the water is discharged off site. •Methane collection system — Bacteria in the landfill break down the trash in the absence of oxygen. This process produces landfill gas, which is approximately 50 percent methane. Since methane gas has the potential to burn or explode, it has to be removed from the landfill. To do this, a series of pipes are embedded within the landfill to collect the methane gas. This gas, once collected, can be either naturally vented or control-burned. •Cover (or cap) — Waste that is placed in a cell is required to be covered daily with either six inches of compacted soil or an alternative daily cover. Some examples of alternative daily covers are the application of spray-on cover material, such as foam or a flame-retardant fiber material. Another type of alternative daily cover is large panels of tarpaulin-type material that is laid over the waste at the end of each day and removed the next day before waste is placed. Other areas within the cells that are not to final grade and will not receive placement of additional waste for a period of time may require additional cover. This is known as intermediate cover — generally 12 to 18 inches of soil. Covering (or capping) is performed in order to isolate the waste from exposure to the air, pests (such as birds, rats and mice) and to control odors. When a section of the landfill is finished or filled to capacity, it is permanently covered with a combination of a layer of polyethylene plastic, compacted soil and a layer of topsoil that will support growth of vegetation to prevent erosion. •Groundwater monitoring stations — These stations are set up to directly access and test the groundwater around the landfill for presence of leachate chemicals. Typically a groundwater monitoring system will have a series of wells that are located up-gradient of the landfill disposal area and a series of wells down-gradient. The up-gradient wells test the water quality before it moves under the disposal area in order to get a background analysis of the water. The down-gradient wells then allow testing of the water after it has passed under the disposal area so it can be compared to the quality of the up-gradient wells to make sure there has been no impact or contamination of the groundwater.
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MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT LIFECYCLE
LANDFILLS : A PROBLEM As the population increases, the demand for manufactured goods also increases. This in turn leads to more waste. The rising demand for food also causes the agricultural waste to increase. However, with increase in the number of landfills, it becomes difficult to meticulously manage each landfill, and the procedure to safe disposal of waste is often ignored. This causes the landfill to become a hazard. Overuse of landfills leads to pollution of air, water and soil. It also leads to rise in temperature due to the generation of methane in the landfills. The fluctuation in temperatures have further adverse effects on the landfills and it becomes a vicious cycle.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AIR TEMPERATURE-LANDFILL TEMPERATURE-RAIN March - June
:
Air Temperature
Landfill Temperature+decomposition of MSW
July - September
:
Air Temperature
Landfill Temperature due to rain
September - November :
Air Temperature
Landfill Temperature
November - January
Air Temperature
Landfill Temperature
:
HIGH AIR TEMPERATURE
EVAPORATION
AIR + WATER POLLUTION LACK OF GREEN SPACES
TOXIC RAIN
HIGH LANDFILL TEMPERATURE
LEACHATE
FIRE HAZARDS
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URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
DECREASE IN LANDFILL TEMPERATURE
THE MAIN PROBLEMS OF LANDFILLS Problem 1: TOXINS A lot of the different materials that end up in landfills contain toxins that are eventually released and seep into the soil and groundwater. These substances are major hazards to the environment and can last for several years. For example, electronics such as computers, batteries and televisions that get thrown out and end up in landfills contain substances like arsenic, mercury, acids, lead and others which pose threats to public health.Inhaling even a small amount of mercury vapor can harm our kidneys and cause respiratory failure. Problem 2: LEACHATE Leachate is a liquid that forms when landfill waste breaks down and water filters through that waste and picks up toxins. Rain falling on the top of the landfill is the greatest contributor of leachate. In other cases, groundwater entering the landfill can produce leachate as well. As liquid seeps through the landfill and collects decomposed waste components, chemical reactions take place and produce a toxic leachate “cocktail.” Chemicals commonly found in leachate include Methan, Carbon Dioxide, Organic Acids, Alcohols, Aldehydes. Problem 3: GREENHOUSE GAS Organic materials such as food scraps and yard waste are usually compacted when they are put into a landfill. The problem is that this removes oxygen and causes the material to break down anaerobically. Over time, the process will produce methane, that is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane is also flammable and can be very dangerous in large concentrations.
Solution 1: TREATING TOXINS Newer landfills are being constructed with synthetic membranes to prevent mercury from escaping into soil and groundwater. Instead, the toxins are drained through a collection of pipes and discharged into a sewer system where they can be retained, incinerated or converted into fertilizer. Solution 2: TREATING LEACHATE There are a range of technologies available to treat landfill leachate in different ways. These include: •Biological Treatment – This is usually the first step in treating landfill leachate. It involves using many different filters to remove nitrogen and other biological compounds from the wastewater. •Chemical-Physical Processes – Wet oxidation processes can be used if it is possible to oxidize organic compounds. This includes activated carbon adsorption, precipitation, flocculation and ion exchange processes among others. Solution 3: TREATING GREENHOUSE GAS New landfills are being lined with a membrane that is specially designed to catch methane in liquid form and prevent it from escaping into the air. However, it is still not possible to capture 100% of it. There are a number of treatment processes that can help prevent methane production: •Open Window or Tunnel Composting – This uses aerobic digestion to decompose organic matter without creating methane gas. •In-vessel Composting – This is a type or aerobic treatment that occurs in a closed container to facilitate the breakdown of waste by micro-organisms. Other processes are available that use anaerobic digestion within a confined space. This allows the methane to be captured and converted into energy.
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'If you go to these sites you'll find women, you'll find children, who actually live on top of the landfill. They work to level the site and segregate the waste. The state doesn't acknowledge that waste pickers exist,' explains Vimlendu Jha, the executive director of Delhi-based NGO Swechha. 'These are faceless, nameless individuals.' WILLIAM BROWN/AL JAZEERA
HOW DO LANDFILLS AFFECT THE SOCIETY? The societies living near the landfills suffer from health problems due to the toxic gases and insects, polluted water and soil. When the amount of waste accumulates beyond a certain level, it leads to landfill slides that bury cars and roads and becomes hazardous to humans. The social stigma associated with living near a landfill or working at a landfill is another problem faced in developing countries, like India. There are people who segregate the waste manually at landfills, called ‘ragpickers’, who face several issues in terms of health, social stigma and living conditions. Hence, regeneration of landfills are required to improve not only the environment, but also the society and lives of people that live near landfills and associate with them.
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HOW DO LANDFILLS CONTRIBUTE TO AIR POLLUTION?
NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF LANDFILL REGENERATION
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STORY OF LANDFILLS IN INDIA The authorities and the community have done little to reduce the burden of garbage piling on to the urban man-made mountains – landfills, in the country. Delhi’s oldest Ghazipur landfill and Asia’s largest dumping ground – Deonar in Mumbai, continued to gather waste despite the Supreme Court ordering a closure of these landfills. These garbage dump have been catching fire that takes days to douse. Recently, Mumbai’s second largest dumping ground – Mulund landfill was permanently closed after it reached its saturation point and then there was the fire at Ahmedabad’s sole landfill site at Pirana, where fumes emitting from garbage are a common sight for passers-by. While landfills continue to be an eyesore in the urban landscape and a crisis that most cities are grappling with, there were a few notable exceptions – Indore, and Ambikapur that declared themselves landfill free and emerged as benchmarks that others can follow. According to the Central Pollution Control Board report that collated figures on the implementation of Solid Wastes Management Rules, 2016, over 1.3 lakh tonnes of solid waste is generated per day in India. Of the total waste generated, while over one lakh tonnes per day is collected, only a fraction – 25,572.25 TPD is treated and 47,415.62 TPD is landfilled. To make sure cities go waste free, government also introduced seven star-rating under Swachh Survekshan – a pan India exercise to assess cleanliness in urban India. The seven-star rating is the first-of-its kind rating tool for assessing cleanliness of cities and towns in India, designed on a SMART approach that stands for Single metric, Measurable, Achievable, Rigorous verification and Targeted towards outcomes. The criteria to achieve seven-star rating is 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection, 100 per cent waste treatment and waste free local water bodies.
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DELHI HAS THE WORST AIR QUALITY IN THE WORLD
Average concentration of fine PM10 particles in micrograms per cubic metre*
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DECODING DELHI’S AIR POLLUTION Delhi far being known for its cultural and historical importance, has become famous and have been ranked as the most polluted city in the world as per the study done by Greenpeace and Swiss – based IQ Air Visual. The report outlined that the causes of the toxic air involves vehicles and industrial emissions, smoke from burning rubbish and crop residue and dust from construction sites. Air Pollution is the greatest environmental risk to health today, being the world’s fourth leading contributor cause of early deaths. Particulate matter in air PM2.5 is the most hazardous to human health and SLCPs (Short -Lived Climate Pollutant) contribute towards PM 2.5 concentrations in air. Black carbon is an SLCP is the major component of PM2.5 air pollution. Since SLCPs persist for only a shot time in the atmosphere, reducing their emissions can have a significant near-term climate and health benefits. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have estimated that reducing SLCP emissions from key sources could reduce glocal warming by 0.50C by 2050. The largest initial benefits of SLCPs reduction is reduction in PM2.5 concentration in air pollution and improvement in air quality for the people living in the action areas. World Health Organization (WHO) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition with other partners around the world to research and aim to reduce the air pollution and emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. Urban planning, urban transport, building design and waste methane gas capture can reduce urban emissions from traffic, building energy, power systems and municipal sewage/waste.
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Vehicular emissions, construction dust and waste burning are the primary culprits why Delhi is reeling under severe air pollution. These factors come together and are responsible for the air pollution in Delhi. Waste burning a major contributor of SLCP emissions in air pollution, is a continuous practice in several parts of Delhi, especially the area under EDMC. National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned waste burning, in year 2016, but the practice is consistent and contributes to a massive 17-18 percent towards the emission of PM10 and other hazardous dioxins. Reports shows that the waste is burnt for various reasons, such as recovery of recyclable waste from the landfills, by ragpickers, burning of waste in winters for warmth by homeless, etc. Authorities are working towards more stringent solid waste management plans and restricting waste burning, apart from dealing with other factors that contribute towards Delhi’s air pollution, Brownfield redevelopment projects for the landfill sites that have already surpassed their capacity can be beneficial for environment, society and also generate economic value.
In regard to this, NGT have already passed order on segregation of waste as it will help reduce the load on new landfill site, and give an opportunity to treat the old landfills. Delhi generates 9,260 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste per day, EDMC area which supports about 23.5 percent of Delhi’s population, is daily generating about 2132 MT (average) of MSW. Public and the municipal authorities have been negligent about the waste segregation practices. The aim is to encourage waste segregation at individual level, using simple procedure for separating waste into wet, dry, hazardous waste, and then the waste can be taken for further treatment. Dust
Vehicular Emissions
Waste Burning
Industrial Smoke
Fig: PM2.5 and PM10 emission contributors
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Fig: Waste Generated Per Day
As per the reports 70% of the produced waste is diverted to the three dumpsites of New Delhi, namely Bhalswa, Okhla and Ghazipur. As these sites, have already crossed their capacity and can barely cope with the rising piles of waste, the government needed to think of some solutions quickly and so it has come up with this idea of a waste-to-energy plant. Since, the fumes from waste-to-energy plants is another contributor towards Delhi’s air pollution, the plan is not favoured by all. Considering, that a waste-to-energy can only be efficient and environmentally friendly is waste segregation is prioritised. Most of the plants have shut down in the past or are not operational because they could not get quality waste to make fuel or had not anticipated costs of recovery in unsegregated waste, making these financially unviable.
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Year of Estbd.
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Year of Saturation
Waste dumped every year
Height of Garbage Dump
GHAZIPUR 1984 280,000 SQ. M.
2002
1800-2400 MT
65 m
BHALSWA 1994 206,000 SQ. M.
2009
2000-2200 MT
62 m
OKHLA 1995 161,000 SQ. M.
2010
1800-2000 MT
55 m
LANDFILL CRISIS OF NEW DELHI The national capital Delhi is home to three of the biggest landfills namely Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhalswa, which have outlived their life and are now unable to take the burden and collapsing under the weight of the waste. A fact that is borne out by the recent events with the Ghazipur dump yard collapsing, claiming two lives and Bhalswa and Okhla landfill smouldering continuously. Despite all this, little to nothing has been done in 2018 to improve the status of landfills with 60-70-metre-high mountain of garbage. All kinds of waste, that is wet, dry and toxic is collected together and dumped at a landfill. Once wet waste starts rotting and decomposing then you have formation of methane gas which is not only a toxic greenhouse gas, but flammable also. Because of the same, landfills are always under fire. In Delhi, till date, about 10,500 tonnes of waste is collected per day. 6,100 TPD still goes to waste to energy plant and this is all mixed waste. Only 200 TPD gets composted�, says the Sambyal, Programme Manager, Waste Management, Center for Science and Environment. Municipalities mention Waste to Energy plants but the name does not meet the purpose or agenda, because all kinds of waste goes into it and is burned. WTE plants are neither meeting emission norms, nor helping in waste segregation and then recycling.
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IMPACTS OF LANDFILL SITES ON DELHI ENVIRONMENT As already mentioned, the dumpsites contribute significantly towards air pollution by adding various pollutant. Apart from this , the leachate generated on landfill sites pollute the quality of underground water table by seeping in through the soil and the surface runoff from the site along with leachate also drains into nearby canals, thus polluting the water sources as these canals meet river Yamuna. Yamuna not only is a natural source of water to the city but is also associated with great cultural importance and has been worshiped by the Indian Citizens like God. Urbanization and many other factors have together contributed onwards river pollution to an extent that the Yamuna river within Delhi boundary and in neighbouring states is back, due to discharge of waste from various sources. Landfills beings one of the and located near drains or canals which eventually meet the river, need better and more efficient management plans along with reclamation proposal to prevent water pollution associated with dumpsites.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
AIR QUALITY
WATER QULAITY
IMPACT OF LANDFILL ON ENVIRONMENT
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HOW TO TACKLE DELHI’S ISSUE OF WASTE? For these dumpsites to be treated while tackling the new garbage being produced every day, the concept of ‘waste separation’ need to adopted for which more ragpickers and gabadiwalas can be employed like daily wage workers to mine the existing landfill sites for the recyclable waste and also segregate the new waste being collected from different wards. As per studies conducted 25% of the waste can easily be segregated by the ragpickers. The idea of using waste to fight poverty can flourish as this would increase employment rate for the people below poverty line by participating in this waste segregation program. Under this program, the waste needs to be separated at source level, from where it can be diverted to RDFs ( Refuse-derived fuel ) plants, this way the fuel produced will be profitable and useful. Plant can not only produce electricity but also bio-fertiliser (slurry) which is ideal for organic cultivation purposes. Delhi has over 2,100 dhalaos (small dumping sites) which must be turned into processing centres. Stressing on the need of a decentralised processing centre, where segregation of wet, dry and domestic hazardous waste is done and then treated. As suggested by the experts from Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), “Bio-methanisation plant would be the ideal solution for current landfills in Delhi. The research focuses on studying the Ghazipur Landfill site known as “Mountain of Garbage” and proposing an alternative approach to deal with dumpsites, by taking into consideration the waste, recycling process, waste diversion, waste-to-energy production and other factors associated with landfill sites and their impact on the environment and health
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GENERATING
CONVERTING
CONDITIONING
COLLECTING
WHO CONTRIBUTES TO LANDFILLS IN DELHI?
HOW TO REDUCE WASTE DISPOSAL TO LANDFILLS? Turning waste into a resource is one key to a circular economy. We have to set objectives and targets to improve waste management, stimulate innovation in recycling, limit the use of landfilling, and create incentives to change consumer behaviour. If we re-manufacture, reuse and recycle, and if one industry's waste becomes another's raw material, we can move to a more circular economy where waste is eliminated and resources are used in an efficient and sustainable way.
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THE ULTIMATE AIM Our aim should be to eventually eliminate the use of landfills. Through a combination of waste reduction, reuse and recycling programs, and waste water treatment plants with anaerobic digestion that harness food scraps to create energy. Environmental Benefits – Reducing the waste volume will decrease air pollution with fewer trucks transporting waste to landfills. Social Benefits – The zero waste plan will reduce the impact of its waste management system on historically overburdened poor and minority communities. Economic Benefits – Eliminating the transportation of waste to landfills will save the city a lot of money. Health Benefits – Waste reduction and less truck traffic will improve pedestrian safety, respiratory health, and overall quality of life.
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LANDFILLS : A POTENTIAL RESOURCE CONVERSION OF LANDFILL GAS-TO-ENERGY
The landfill gas that is collected contains approximately 50% methane and is either destroyed by combusting it in a flare or is diverted to an on-site treatment facility for the conversion of this gas to energy. The conversion of landfill gas to energy is an effective means of recycling and reusing this valuable resource. As landfill cells are filled with waste, methane gas, a byproduct of any decomposing material, is collected from within the waste through a system of vertical wells and pipelines and directed to a separate on-site treatment facility. The treated landfill gas is either pumped off site to a manufacturer near the landfill to supplement or replace their natural gas usage or is used to generate electricity right at the landfill that is delivered to the electrical grid. ENHANCED LANDFILL MINING (ELFM) Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM) can be defined as “the safe conditioning, excavation and integrated valorisation of (historic and/or future) landfilled waste streams as both materials (Waste-toMaterial, WtM) and energy (Waste-toEnergy, WtE) using innovative transformation technologies and respecting the most stringent social and ecological criteria.�
5. Enhanced Landfill Mining including metal recovery Landfills containing industrial process residues
Tailing ponds
Primary ores
4. Metal recovery Concentrates
Primary mining
Metals and alloys
Recyclates 1.Direct consumer recycling
2.Recycling/urban mining
3. Landfill Mining
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Residual minerals to be valorised in building materials
Industrial process residues from primary and secondary metal production
(Intermediate) Products
Manufacturing scrap
Use phase
End-of-life products
Landfills containing urban solid waste
CLOSURE OF LANDFILLS COMPONENTS OF LANDFILL CLOSURE
Landfills have to be closed following certain procedures so that it doesnt harm the environment and society further. Closing a landfill involves three major design elements: slope stability, drainage and gas controls. Slope stability is usually defined as the general stability of the slope and landfill mass as well as the soil/cap interface stability. Since force-fitting the site to a neat design isn't always feasible, a drainage engineer is crucial for sizing and locating the drainage elements of a closed landfill. Horizontal or vertical gas wells are placed on site according to regulations, and these wells help to extract the landfill gas which can be used to generate electricity or is buned so that it doesnt accumulate under the landfill.
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ANALYSIS
“To create, one must first question everything.” – Eileen Gray
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CITY SCALE ANALYSIS
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HISTORICAL IDENTITY
Highway abutting Ghazipur landfill site Places of historical importance City of Shahjahanabad Lutyen’s Delhi Trans- Yamuna region Southern expansion
URBAN DEVELOPMENT GROWTH OF DELHI
Before 1950
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1950- 1975
1975- 1997
1997- 2005
2005- present
THE CITY OF SHAHJAHANABAD AND THE RIVER YAMUNA
CIVIL BOUNDARIES AND LUTYEN’S DELHI
1533
1929
This was designed to house the Parliament and other government buildings
1947
India achieves independence
In the early 1500s, the Mughal empire constructed the Old Fort for the citadel and Delhi started to grow from its walls along the Yamuna
TRANS- YAMUNA EXPANSION
SUB- CITIES AND MULTIPLE DISTRICTS
1950
Due to population growth, Delhi’s rich migrate south and establish the South Delhi district
1975
Immigrants increase and skilled labour declines; ghetos develo with poor infrastructure
1960
The city gets divided based on labour as government provides low cost housing across Yamuna
MID2000S
Sub cities such as Dwarka and Gurugram develop, further dividing NCR
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GREEN ARMATURE
LEGEND
Forest and Reserved Green The city lacks big patches of ecological importance. The proximity of green open spaces around the landfill sites is observed to be scarse and distributed unevenly, thus their is a need of new green corridors to revive the natural habitat and create comfortable microclimates.
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Agricultral Green
Urban Green
BLUE ARMATURE
LEGEND
River and Streams
Canals
Drains
The landfill sites are located adjoining natural and artifical water channels that eventually flow into river Yamuna. This is affecting the water quality of the water resources throughout the city. The drains and canals running in proximity to the dumpsites are getting polluted due to disposal and discharge.
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GREY ARMATURE
LEGEND
Road Network The city lacks big patches of ecological importance. The proximity of green open spaces around the landfill sites is observed to be scarse and distributed unevenly, thus their is a need of new green corridors to revive the natural habitat and create comfortable microclimates.
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Subway Network
Rail Network
GREEN ARMATURE
BLUE ARMATURE
GREY ARMATURE
DELHI’S LANDFILLS
The analysis perforemd at CITY SCALE represents commonality in linkages of the three landfill sites of New Delhi in relation to Green Network, Man-made and Artificial Water Networks and the Infrastructure. A co-relation observed between the the three landfill sites at Urban Level, leads to development of similar strategies for treatment and redevelopment of the dumpsites. The strategies would transform the image of the dumpyards and change people’s perception towards the garbage mountain, they created.
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GROUND WATER QUALITY
GEOLOGY
The oldest rocks in the Delhi region comprise of quartzites interbedded with mica schist and phylites belonging to Ajabgarh group of Delhi supergroup of early to middle proterozoic age. Geographically these rocks occupy the central to southern part of the Delhi area. Over the Ajabgarh group of rocks lie the quaternary sediments divided into older alluvium, newer alluvium and aeolian de- posit. The older alluvium is designated as Varanasi alluvium to the east of Delhi ridge and Ambala alluvium to the west of the ridge. The newer alluvium is further classified into terrace alluvium and channel alluvium occurring in the older and active flood plains of Yamuna River.
Chloride Concentration
GEOMORPHOLOGY
Geomorphologically, Delhi area is classified into five geomorphic units – rocky surface in the form of ridges, mounds and hills occupying the highest elevation ranging from 209-326 m above MSL, Varanasi / Ambala plain having a flat surface and elevation ranging from 209-219 m, older flood plain in the form of terraces restricted along Yamuna river consisting of higher level erosional ter- races and the lower level depositional terrace, active flood plain of the river Yamuna confined between its present banks and the Aeolian surface repre- sented by stabilised dunes and sandy flats.
EC
Fluoride Concentration
GEOHYDROLOGY
Magnesium Concentration
Nitrate Concentration
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0.0-0.2 0.2-0.4 0.4-0.6 0.6-0.8 0.8-1.0
Delhi region can be divided into four zones based on the ground water regime. Zone-1 located along north west of the river Yamuna consists of alluvial plain having fairly thick and regionally extensive confined/unconfined aquifers down to 300 m depth. Zone-2 is confined to eastern side of river Yamuna and is of alluvial nature with moderately thick and regionally extensive confined/unconfined aquifers down to 150 m. Zone-3 is confined to the western side of river Yamuna and consists of alluvial plain having fairly thick and discontinuous aquifers. Zone-4 occurs mainly in the central to southern part of Delhi region and consists of rocky terrain with ground water restricted to weathered residium.
CONTOURS AND ACTIVE FLOOD PLAIN
Older alluvial plain
Hydrological flows
Delhi Alwar quartzitic ridge
Active Yamuna flood plain
Alluvial Plain
Older Yamuna flood plain
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DELHI POPULATION DENSITY GROWTH 1941
2.66 million
1961
5,000+ POPULATION
Decadal growth 1981
6.2 million
16.79 million
2017
30001+
DENSITY OF 507 PER SQ.M
20001-30000
9,745 PER SQ.M
10001-20000
4,195 PER SQ.M
Decadal growth
10000 AND BELOW RESETTLEMENT COLONIES
Decadal growth
DELHI POPULATION DENSITY AND MSW PRODUCED The Municipal Solid Waste(MSW) produced by the east areas of Shahadra North and South are high, despite being small in area compared to the west, north and south, owing to dense population, industries and markets. The South and Central areas produce excessive amounts of waste due to influx of tourists and supporting activities. The north and west areas have numerous industries that contribute to MSW.
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Narela 1.7% Civil Lines 8.7% Rohini Shahadra North 8.7% NDMC 8.8% 8.7% Shahadra South Karol Bagh 10.8% City 6.8% 9.2% West 10.1% Najafgarh 5.4% Central 7.8% South 7.5%
NORMALIZED DIFFERENCE VEGETATIVE INDEX (NDVI) 2003
2010
High: 0.43 Low: -0.52
High: 0.23 Low: -0.11
2017 The dense vegetation level in Delhi reduced from 2003-10 and saw an increase from 2010-17. However the water levels have seen a drastic decrease with the increase in urban areas.
NORMALIZED DIFFERENCE BUILT UP INDEX (NDBI) 2003
High: 0.56 Low: -0.09
2010
High: 0.36 Low: -0.64
High: 0.41 Low: -0.28
2017 In 2003 there was relatively more balance between the built up areas, vegetation and water. However, by 2017, the urban areas have increased with a slight increase in vegetation cover. But, the water levels have reduced.
High: 0.45 Low: -0.42
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DELHI’S MAJOR DECOMISSIONED LANDFILLS The Landfills pollute the fertile areas along the Yamuna river and the Green belt. They give out leachate polluting the water systems. The major roadways and railways cross the vicinity of the sites creating human hazards and visual
BHALSWA : 2200 MT/YEAR 62 m ht.
GHAZIPUR : 2400 MT/YEAR 65 m ht.
OKHLA : 2000 MT/YEAR 55 m ht.
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WATER
7.0 KM
AIR
2.5 KM
SOIL
1.5 KM
SUMMARY OF KEY NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF LANDFILLS POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE
POTENTIAL IMPACT
DESCRIPTION
Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Water Quality Impacts Risk of contamination of ground water resources from leachate emissions
Moderate
Groundwater is locally contaminated by leachate. The leachate entering the groundwater is most likely directly flowing into the interceptor drain and further to river Yamuna.
Risk of contamination of surface water resources from leachate emissions
High
Presence of channels directing the flow of surface water runoff from the site to the drain and thereby to River Yamuna increases the surface water sensitivity.
Contamination of water resources by suspended solids
Moderate
Concentration of SPM is high in the surrounding area and the nearest water sources are contaminated
Increased risk of contamina- tion of water resources by surface runoff
High
Storm water drainage system has not been provided at the sites. Surface water run-off is a large problem and it eventually ends up in the interceptor drains running along the nearby canals.
Health and Safety Impacts Risk of migration/ exposure/explosion of landfill gas
Moderate
No arrangements have been made for collection of landfill gases
Health impacts on the workers employed at landfill site
Moderate
Workers generally do not use personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and shoes thereby imposing an occupational health risk
Air Quality Impacts Dust generated from on-site vehicle movements, and placement of waste and materials
High
Internal roads are poorly maintained and mainly unpaved, thereby generating dust during vehicle movements
Odour impacts from site activities
High
Odour levels at the site are quite high as daily covers are not provided and the incoming MSW has high moisture
Visual, Landscape and Amenity Impacts Loss of visual amenity during site operation
Moderate
All the sites are located near main access roads
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NEIGHBOURHOOD SCALE ANALYSIS
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NEIGHBOURHOOD SCALE ANALYSIS
LUTYEN’S DELHI
The MAP at neighbourhood scale represents connection between the landfill site and the Yamuna River. It also shows the contrast in urban development pattern on either side of Yamuna River and the infrstaruture linkage of the site with the city and surroundings.
LEGEND Subway Link Railway Link Yamuna River Farmlands Canals Drainage Line Landfill Site
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YA M
UN
A
RI
VE
R
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UNPROTECTED LANDFILL
CONNECTIONS
VARIABLE URBAN PATTERN AND DENSITY
HIGH RESIDENTIAL LAND USE
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TO
POLLUTING DRAINS AND RIVERS
SPARSE URBAN GREEN POCKETS
FARMLAND AND DEVELOPED GREEN
km 2.5 act p Im Air
7.0 km Water Impact
1.5 km Soil Impact
POPULATION DENSITY 40000 and above 25000-40000 10000-25000 10000 and below
IMPACT INTENSITY OF LANDFILL ON NATURE
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GHAZIPUR SANITARY LANDFILL
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A RISING MESS FIGHTING MOUNTAINS OF GARBAGE POLLUTING AIR, WATER AND SOIL SINCE 1984
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A RISING MESS
FIGHTING MOUNTAINS OF GARBAGE POLLUTING AIR, WATER AND SOIL SINCE 1984 The capital’s oldest garbage dump site and Asia’s oldest functioning landfill site and is almost like a landmark in East Delhi’s Ghazipur area, with its silhouette looming over the buildings and structures of Ghazipur, India. A mountain of refuse for one of the world's most populous nations, has grown so large that it's on track to exceed the nation's most famous monuments. The trash mountain had reached height of 65 meters comparable to Qutub Minar, the world’s largest brick minaret. It is estimated to rise more than 73 meters by 2020 dwarfing Taj Mahal, Agra. Taking up the area of more than 40 football pitches on the edges of a city which the UN says is the world’s most polluted capital, the Ghazipur dump rises by nearly 10 metres (33 feet) a year. According to east Delhi’s superintendent engineer Arun Kumar, it is already more than 65 metres high. At its rate of growth, it will be taller than the 73-metre Taj in Agra in 2020. A 80 feet tall mountain of garbage, which could tower over a 15-storey building tells a story of one of the biggest problems plaguing in the city, lack of Waste Management. The landfill site had started in 1984 in land with 29 acres. It started with certain benchmarks which were: maximum height 15 meter, should not take more than 29 acres of land, regular waste management, only segregated waste should be thrown, should have certain capacity to hold waste. The landfill overshot its limit of 15 feet way back in 2002. Fifteen years later, it was still in operation in the absence of alternative sites. Centre for Science and Environment claims that close to 4.74 million tonnes of garbage is lying at Ghazipur landfill site. More than one-fourth of the waste collected from Delhi is diverted to Ghazipur Landfill site. As per the Municipal Solid Waste Rules the dump sites should have eco-friendly garbage management
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facilities and should have provisions for material recovery, treat leachate (liquid that drains or ‘leaches’ from a landfill) and provision to derive fuel out of waste. But, Ghazipur landfill has none of these facilities. Not just that, the landfill has no certification from Delhi Pollution Control Committee. The mountain of garbage has been in news headlines for collapsing in September 2018 resulting in 2 life lost, a four-wheeler and 3 two wheelers pushed down in the adjoining canal and many injured, as it cannot bear the weight of the trash anymore which had been piling up for over three decades. Ghazipur site is the oldest and one of the three "un-engineered" dumping grounds located in East Delhi should have shut down in 2008, had been polluting air, water, and soil since 1984, and it now poses a real time threat to the people. As heap of garbage fell into the Kondi Canal running parallel to the site, experts also fear adverse consequences and a medical situation for the locals in the long run. The tonnes of garbage at the ‘over-saturated’ Ghazipur dump-yard leads to wasteslides now and then causes life threats. The others include Okhla in South Delhi and Bhalaswa in North Delhi. The yard at Bawana, which qualifies as a “landfill site” as it is the only “engineered solid waste dumping and processing site” in the entire National Capital, experts said, advising the authorities to wake-up and start working on “decentralised processing centres”. The Ghazipur dumping ground holds approximately 130 lakh tonnes of solid waste. The Ghazipur dump-yard spreads over 70 acres and is 50 metres high. The other un-engineered sites – Okhla landfill spreads over 32 acres and Bhalaswa covers an area of 40 acres.
The overflowing Ghazipur Landfill impacts lives of more than 30 lakh people living within 10 km area of the landfill and the nearest residential settlement is just 200 metres away. The landfill is polluting the local air, groundwater, and poses a serious threat to Sanjay Lake, which is around 2.5 km away and the already dying Yamuna River, which is around 7 km away. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has also directed the East Delhi Municipal Corporation that the entire landfill site should be cleared within two years’ time span. With the aim to achieve this transformation, the civic body shall carry out bio-mining, a technique of extracting various materials from the dumped garbage to clear out the site to construct a park. The institute in 2018 reported that of the total waste of the landfill, the organic compounds had mostly decomposed and what remained was more or less soil. It consists of 93.7 per cent sand, earth, bricks, concrete, and 1.97 per cent of organic material, 3.77 per cent plastic and 0.5 per cent glass/metals. the civic body shall be responsible for treating and segregating the waste throughout the site at present while the slope stabilisation process is on one part of the landfill. The recyclables recovered from the biomining process will be sent for recycling, recyclable polythene was sent to cement plants and for road making. The soil recovered will be used for refilling the ground on the same site where greenery is being developed. The construction and demolition (C&D) waste will be recovered and sent to C&D processing facility to produce building materials. The left over about 15% of the waste will be sent to secured landfill.
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56
SITE SCALE ANALYSIS
57
Ghazipur Site is located in a low-lying area with high built density of low-rise and informal housing. Drains and the Hindon Cut Canal flow along the site on S-E edge and can be accessed via main Trunk Road Delhi-Meerut Express Way, secondary road and two tertiary roads. Site surroundings have patches pf urban green admist built density and a few reservoirs and ponds. SITE
ACCESSEBILITY
CANALS & DRAINS
URBAN GREEN POCKETS
URBAN MOBILITY
BUILT DENSITY
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v
SITE SCALE ANALYSIS
erut
Cu t en nd Hi
ain r Dr
zipu
Gha
Ca n
al
D
Me elhi
y swa
res Exp
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The site is surrounded by fish market and poultry farm to the west, Hinden Cut canal to the south, dairy farm to the east and open land acquired by MCD for alternative treatment of MSW to the west. A drain carrying sewage water from the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh runs parallel to the Hinden Cut canal and is along the southern boundary of the landfill site. The Hinden Cut canal is lined in only certain portions using brick lining whereas the major portions of the canal are unlined.
Dairy Farm
Fish Market
Poultry Farm
Meat Market
Vegetable Market
Flower Market
Hospital
Police Station
CNG+Petrol Pump
Residential Area
Govt Housing
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NEIGHBOURING SPATIAL FABRIC
Residential block units across the Ghazi-
Ghazipur Dairy Farm
Government housing units, and supplementary functions, and small parks.
Irregular Mixed Use development, with Residential areas, schools, hospitals and commercial outlets
Hospital, Ghaziabad Development Authority park and residential areas across the Delhi-Meerut Expressway
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EXISTING SURROUNDING LANDUSE
ROADS AND WATER
GREEN AREAS
A major Highway, National Highway 24, runs adjacent to the landfill. The area around the site has dense network of roads.
There are small private green areas and vacant land where encroachment happens.
MARKET AREAS
MIXED USE BUILT-UP PREDOMINANTLY RESIDENTIAL
There are large areas with markets for fish, vegetables, Poultry, meat and flowers around the landfill.
The area around the ste is mostly built up, with apartments, commercial stores and markets.
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EXISTING LANDFORMS ON SITE
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Mima Mounds
Gradual Slopes
Plateaus
Escarpment
Plain
Water Basin
SUN AND WIND PATHS
EMISSIONS FROM GHAZIPUR LANDFILL SITE (Metric Tonnes for equivalent CO2) EMISSIONS FROM LANDFILL SITE
SLCP CONTRIBUTION: MT CO2
25,000,000
20,000,000
15,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
2000
2010
2020
2030
2040
2050
PM10 CONTRIBUTION The pollutants from the Landfill lead to emission of Short Lived Climate Pollutants(SLCPs) and Green House Gases(GHGs), which stay in the atmosphere from a few days to thousands of years. They are Toxic to every living being including plants. Hence, it is important to reduce these emissions. The Landfill also gives out leachate from the decomposition of landfilled matter over time. these contain toxic substances that pollute water bodies and soil, and indirectly other things over time.
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66
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ARIEL SHARON PARK, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
Reconquered landscape in Tel Aviv’s densely populated metropolitan area
Ariel Sharon Park is an environmental park established on the former Hiriya waste dump located southeast of Tel Aviv, Israel. After accumulating 25 million tons of waste, the facility was shut down in August 1998. It is visible on approach into Ben Gurion International Airport as a flat-topped hill.
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Three recycling facilities have been established at the foot of the mountain: a waste separation center, a green waste facility that produces mulch and a building materials recycling plant. The waste dump and its surrounding area have been renovated into a large park that is still under construction. Some of the strategies adopted for the park are the following: - A thin yet heavy layer of crushed concrete protects the surface against erosion and heat - Water collects in a system of ditches during the short rainy season. - Low fragrant scrub and herbs along its numerous branches structure the wide open area. They take rainwater from above the landfill capping, consisting of layers of liners and clay, to underground gravel depots. - Â Dry-stone walls, constructed from recycled demolition materials, adjust to the constant settlement of the waste. - A special retention system reduces evaporation to a minimum and supports lush vegetation of species. - The only stable area on the household waste landfill supports a building with restaurant, large terrace and small video room. It is a concrete slab, which was used to clean refuse trucks on it, and raised metre by metre as the level of the refuse increased. - A shallow ramp is fitted into the topography and serves as a route for the visitors shuttle service. - A broad terrace retains the steep mountain slopes which gradually begin to turn green. It has been raised with millions of cubic metres of building rubble. - Ramps and bridges will connect to the plain where a retention basin for periodic floods is going to be excavated: A park in the flood plain with larger trees, branching streams and paths; part of the vast retention system which will protect Tel Aviv from floods in the future.
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FRESHKILLS PARK, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK
In 2001, Freshkills was the biggest dump in the world. It was mean to be a temporary solution to the city’s waste problem but Freshkills became the city’s only landfill and, at it’s peak in 1986, the once fertile landscape was receiving more than 29,000 tons of trash per day. 2005
The existing site is a closed landfill without public access or amenity
Within a few years, areas of the site can be reclaimed as useful public landscapes
soon after park drives can connect surrounding areas and allow access to the park. 2015
LArger areas of the park will be reclaimed as publicparkland over time
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restaurants, cultural facilities, sports amenities and other recreational uses will activate the site
a mature Bomatrix within the next 30 years, Fresh Kills Park ill be transformed into a fully sustainable, living park.
However, the New York City Department of Sanitation and the Department of Parks and Recreation decided to take off the landfill and convert it into a park. To guide this development, the DPR have a master plan from a multidisciplinary team of experts led by landscape architect James Corner of Field Operations. Corner’s plan identifies five main areas in Freshkills, each with distinct offerings, designed and programmed to maximize specific site opportunities and constraints. Planned features include nature preserves, animal habitats, a seed plot, walking and bike paths, picnic areas, comfort stations, event staging areas, and every other amenity you could possibly ask for in a public park. While James Corner may have planned the park, the landscape itself is being “designed� by the birds, squirrels, bees, trees, and breezes that have returned to populate the new landscape since 2001. - An elaborate and somewhat experimental six-layer capping system covers the entire landfill.To ensure stability, before the capping was done, the trash heaps were covered with compressed soil and graded into the terraced hills seen today. The landfill still produces two primary byproducts: methane gas and leachate. The excess of methane gas has been put to good use by the Department of Sanitation, who harvest the gas from the site to sell to National Grid energy company. The risk of lechate escaping into water bodies is addressed with landfill caps, which greatly reduces the amount of leachate produced, but also with pipes and water treatments facilities installed to purify any runoff until it is clean. To ensure their system works, 238 groundwater monitoring wells were installed to track water quality.
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STRATEGIES
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“Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design.” – Charles Eames
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STRATEGIES - SITE SCALE
4
P 2
M 1
6
13
5 10
14
15 7 8
9
12
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STRATEGIES FOR THE SITE 1
Paid parking spaces are provided in the site for those commuting via the metro
2 Public Facilities and services are provided with recreational areas 3
Highway brings influx of people to the site from the neighbouring state of
3 UttarPradesh. It becomes a space to get down at, and relax for inter-state travelers on long journeys
P
M
11
4
The fish market is combined with the meat market and the space is reorganized to avoid the existing chaos +
5
Energy and Fuel generated from waste are utilised on site and neighbouring areas
6
Biogas Plant collects oragnic waste from the surrounding markets to produce fuel and fertilizer
7
Energy produced is utilised immediately or given to the Grid
8
WtE plant converts incinerated waste to electricity
9
Waste segregation area acts as a mediator to collect segregated waste and distribute it to the industries for recycling, or to send to the WtE plant
10 Pedestrian access to the site from the other side
Canal water is purified by intercepting natural waste water treatment plants (Yamu11 na River Project) to send purified water to the river Yamuna 12 Canal side is rejuvenated to create a Green Corridor with community spaces. 13
The ‘Maze of Waste’ becomes a symbolic identity for use of recycled materials and a public space
14 The landfill park increases the biodiversity of the area
15 Phytoremediation pond to purify excess leachate produced
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SUSTAINABILITY OF THE SITE Site is cleared of waste and maintained
REVENUE SUSTAINABILITY FROM WASTE Industries pay for Raw materials
Waste is segregated by ragpickers
Segregated waste is sent to industries or local craftsmen
Non recyclable waste goes to WtE plant
Site is capped, covered and maintained
REVENUE SUSTAINABILITY FROM BIODIVERSITY
Growth of Urban woodlands+plants
Incentive for people to visit+Research Increase in biodiversity Acquiring neighbouring land for expansion and development
REVENUE SUSTAINABILITY FROM PUBLIC SERVICES Increased flux of people into the site Incoming of Highway travellers
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Creating paid Public Parking + services
ENERGY UTILIZATION STRATEGY
TO THE GRID
SITE BUILDING 12 MW ELECTRICITY FOR SITE BUILDING NEEDS + EXCESS SUPPLIED TO THE GRID
HEATING FOR BUILDING
FUEL FOR NEIGHBOURING AREAS
FUEL FOR FISHMARKET FERTILIZER FOR PLANTS
BIOGAS PLANT
SOLAR BASED ON SITE ENERGY FOR WtE PLANT
WASTE TO ENERGY PLANT
R
EL
LFG PLANT
FO
S
RT
LF
CA
O
G
FU
30KW CAPACITY TURBINE
WASTE SEGREGATION AND UTILIZATION STRATEGY
WASTE SEGREGATION CYCLE PARTIALLY SEGREGATED WASTE
TO RECYCLING INDUSTRIES
VEGETABLE WASTE
TO BIOGASS PLANT
COMPLETE WASTE SEGREGATION MEAT WASTE
TO WtE PLANT
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INDUSTRIES AROUND GHAZIPUR FOR RECYCLING
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TIMELINE FOR SITE REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT 2020
2035
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LANDSCAPE STRATEGIES ADOPTED ON SITE
Water Detention Basins to catch rainwater and utilize it for other purposes such as irrigation. They create a seasonal change in the landscape.
The Wooded Areas on site act as the lungs of the site. The also lead to an increase in Biodiversity of the area.
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The Phyto-Remediation Pond constantly heals the site as it purifies the leachate that is released after the capping of the landfill.
The Plazas and Trails created on site acts as spaces where people come and relax. They become resting and transition spaces where once they didn’t even want to look.
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DESIGN
82
“As an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.” – Norman Foster
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MASTERPLAN The Masterplan was derived using the existing surrounding fabric and the hypothesized form of the landfill after compaction and capping. It is designed to enrich the nature of the area by supplementing the existing functions in a way that harms the environment less. The landfill itself is proposed as a park, an Iconic Landmark of Green. The functions of the park are supplemented by a Landfill interpretation center. The canal along the park, that once carried polluted water, is now the source of rejuvenation.
2
1
4
3
27
5 8
6
7 9 10
11 12 13
14
15
26 15
15
16 25
21
30
16
17 18
31
15
31
29
15 16 15
24
19
31
18
20
23 21 28
22
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LEGENDS 1 2 3 4 5 6
Pedestrian ramp to the Parking The Highway Park Ghazipur Exhibition Ground
8
Ramp to the subterranean Parking Subterranean Parking zone
9
The Hillside Plaza
7
10
Landfill Interpretation Center
11
Perception Alcove
12
The Deck
13
A-Maze-in Waste
14
The Winding Stairway Waste Recycling Workshops
15
16
Woods
17
Sunset Plaza
18
Elevated Walkways
19
Phytoremediation Pond
20
Detention Pond / Undulating plazas
21
Live Museum
22
Park Service road
23
Jogging/ Golf Cart Trail
24
Hindon Canal Park
25
N
Highway Buffer Zone Vehicular Entry Vehicular Exit
Children’s Park
26
Foot Overbridge
27
Relocated Fish market
28
Waste Segregation Area
30
Waste to Energy Plant Biogas Plant
31
Gulmeher Center and Production Units
29
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MASTERPLAN PROGRAMMING THE HILLSIDE PLAZA 4600 sq.m 2000 people
A-MAZE-IN WASTE
900 sq.m 350 people
THE WINDING STAIRWAY
110 Steps, 1169.62 sq.m 450 people
SUNSET PLAZA
Open Air Seating 1000 sq.m 400 people The Plaza 3365 sq.m 1300 people
THE HIGHWAY PARK
4700 sq.m 1650 people
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GHAZIPUR EXHIBITION GROUND 5000 sq.m 1700 people
HINDON CANAL PARK 42,749 sq.m 10000 people
PHYTO-REMEDIATION POND 3609.065 sq.m
WASTE RECYCLING WORKSHOPS 3 x 96 sq.m, 3 x 64 sq.m 30-40 people per workshop
LIVE MUSEUM 2307.247 sq.m 500 people
MAIN PARK PATHWAYS
46,216.61 sq.m hard surface 1.6 km length
CONNECTING TRAILS
2208.53 sq.m hard surface 0.2 km length
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88
89
90
91
92
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LANDFILL INTERPRETATION CENTER BUILDING FLOOR PLANS
PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES
3
2
1
3
1
4
DAYLIGHTING
FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
5
Exhibition Space Retail Area Workshop Rooms Vertical Circulation Open Seating
NATURAL VENTILATION
3
5
GREEN ROOF
3 2 4 6
3
1 5
THERMAL COMFORT GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Administration Area Green Area Food Court Vertical Circulation Restaurant Services
RAINWATER HARVESTING
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GREEN ROOF
ROOF SLAB
FIRST FLOOR STRUCTURE
FIRST FLOOR LAYOUT
GROUND FLOOR STRUCTURE
GROUND FLOOR LAYOUT
DIAGRID STRUCTURE
STRUCTURAL COMPOSITION
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THE VIEW OF THE INTERPRETATION CENTER FROM THE HIGHWAY
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THE GREEN ROOF AND VIEWING DECK OF THE CENTER
PHYTO-REMEDIATION POND AND WATER DETENTION BASIN A
Biogas Plant
Seasonal Undulating Plaza / Water Detention Basin
Elevated Walkway
1’
1
Green Mounds
Seasonal Undulating Plaza / Water Detention Basin Boundary wall to contain Polluted water
2’
2
Phyto-Remediation Pond to Naturally Treat Leachate Polluted Water
Boundary wall to contain Polluted water
3’
3
Seasonal Undulating Plaza / Water Detention Basin
Elevated Walkway to the Live Museum
Green Mounds
Green Bufferzone
Site Road Canal Side Walkway 30m 26m
21m
16m
11m
6m
0m
-3m
A’
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PLAN
SECTION A-A’
SECTION 1-1’ Enterolobium timbouva
Pongamia pinnata
Live Museum
Elevated Walkway to the Live Museum
Acacia albida
30m 26m 21m 16m 11m 6m Max. Water level during Rains
0m -3m
Waste Green Seasonal to Mound Undulating Energy Plaza/ Plant Detention Basin
Woods
Site Trail
Elevated walkway structure from CHS steel section to support a deck made from recycled wood
Woods
SECTION 2-2’
Live Museum
Plastic bricks
30m 26m 21m 16m 11m 6m Max. Water level during Rains
0m
Water level in Summer
Waste Phytoto remediaEnergy tion Pond Plant
Escarpment
Retaining Boundary wall to hold the water being treated
-3m
Site Trail/ Workshop
Woods
Rainfall
Harvested water is used to irrigate plants
water is conveyed by swales into the Water is circulated and cleansed through detention basin the phyto remediation pond
SECTION 3-3’
Woods
Live Museum
Phyto-remediation Pond to naturally purify Leachate polluted Water
Recycled wooden decks
30m 26m
Top of gravel bed
21m 16m 11m
Elevated walkway
Waste Segregation Area
6m 0m
Water level in Summer
Influent
emmergent vegetation water level water level control effluent
-3m
Green Mound
Seasonal Undulating Plaza/ Water Detention Basin
Green Mound
Coarse Impermeable main bed media
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Live Museum Elevated walkway
Undulating plaza
Boundary wall Phyto-remediation pond
Green mounds
Steep slope
IN THE SUMMER The plaza spaces are filled with people in the summer, who come to relax or visit the park. This space can also be used for hosting public events. Live Museum Elevated walkway
Undulating plaza/Water detention basin
Boundary wall Phyto-remediation pond
Green mounds
Steep slope
IN THE W1NTER The undulating plazas also become water detention ponds to collect the rain water. Although people visit the park, the number of people are less, using the plaza as a transition space. Live Museum Elevated walkway
Water detention basin
Boundary wall Phyto-remediation pond
Steep Green slope mounds
IN THE MONSOON SEASON The undulating plazas completely become detention basins when the water level is maximum. During this time only the elevated walkway is used. The biodiversity of this area increases during this season.
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TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENT
PHASE 1 The area is rejuvenated to support green growth and begins acting like a water detention basin.
PHASE 2 The hard surfaces are defined and can be used for activities. The trees have started growing.
PHASE 3 The live museoum and elevated walkways are introduced. The first stage trees have grown to full height and new shrubs are taking root.
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HINDON CUT CANAL WALKWAY
Albizia lebbeck
Pongamia Pinnata
walkway
rain garden
walkway
golfcart accessway
bicycle path
Solar Streetlight
15m 10m 5m 0m -5m -6m
Urban Woods
Green Bufferzone
Site Road
Green Bufferzone
Promenade
PUBLIC SPACES ALONG THE CANAL
Canal
Canal Side walk
Main Road
Green divider
Promenade
UNITS FOR WELFARE OF RAGPICKER COMMUNITY Stepped down seating spaces
Jogging trail
Canal Side walk
Hinden Cut Canal
Gulmeher Center for ragpickers’ welfare Construction debris used to create mounds
Canal side walkway Hinden Cut Canal
Plastic bricks for construction of buildings spaces are created along the canal for public gathering Roads made of recycled and relaxation plastic aggregate
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A center for teaching the ragpicking community other trades and giving them a means of steady livelihood
Pongamia Pinnata
overlooking deck
walkway
stepped plaza
walkway
Solar Streetlight
seating spaces/ linear park golfcart accessway bicycle path
Albizia lebbeck
15m 10m 5m 0m -5m -6m
Seasonal Detention Pond
Green Bufferzone
Site Road
Green Bufferzone
Promenade
Canal Side walk
Canal
Canal Side walk
Main Road
Green divider
Promenade
SCALE 1:500
VIEWING DECKS ALONG THE CANAL Green Mounds
FOOT OVER-BRIDGE TO CONNECT EITHER CANAL BANKS Overhang decks
recycled wood for footover bridge
Children’s play area
Foot overbridge to cross the canal
Plastic paver blocks for the
Overhanging decks on the canal and jogging trails are provided.
recycled rubber jogging trails
Pedestrian access from the other side of the canal to the park.
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LIVE MUSEUM PLAN 1
Elevated Walkway to the Live Museum
Live Museum
SECTION 1-1’ 30m 26m 21m
2
16m
1’
11m 6m 0m
2’
-3m
Green Mound Waste to Energy Plant
Woods
Seasonal Undulating Plaza/ Detention Basin
Woods Site Trail
30m 26m 21m 16m 11m 6m 0m -3m
SECTION 2-2’
1 2
3
1 Elevated Walkway : Circular hollow sections with recycled wooden decks
2 Live Museum Cores: RCC Structure with plastic bricks.
3 Glass Elevators
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THE TRAIL - PARK AS A MUSEUM The entire site is considered to be a Living Museum. As people enter the site, they are automatically guided along a trail that shows the ongoing Process of Regeneration and the potential capacity for Biodiversity, of a land that was once known as the ‘Mountain of Garbage’. This trail is meant to make the population realize that waste is more than just an end product, and to help in changing the outlook towards waste and recycling.
THE MAZE WITHIN WASTE The maze walls are lined with trash to create a realization of what the site is made of.
SUNSET PLAZA OVER THE TOP OF THE HILL The paramount of the park over the waste has a view of the Yamuna and the city between
SCATTERED WOODED AREAS Patches of land are treated to support heavy vegetation to increase Biodiversity
WATER DETENTION BASIN The changing landscape and hardscape as the level of water changes
PHYTO REMEDIATION POND This is where the continuous healing of the site takes place as leachate is treated
LIVE MUSEUM PAVILION WORKSHOP SPACES ALONG THE TRAILS OVER THE BIOGAS PLANT Workshops to demonThis takes the people over strate how waste can be transformed on a local the biogas plant level
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A-MAZE-IN WASTE
The ‘Maze in Waste’ is a mound that is a part of the landfill that has been cut into, to figuratively expose the retaining walls that are panelled with recycled waste,making them walls of waste. The maze rises to a maximum height of five metres at the centre and has varied heights of walls throughout. SECTION A-A’
SECTION B-B’
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Addition of bridges to make the circulation possible on two levels
Realistaion of the maze circulation
Designed circulation within maze
Original state of mound, after processes of compaction, capping and addition of the top soil
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SUNSET PLAZA
This plaza at the top of the landfill is the ultimate viewing point in the vicinity because it stands at a height of 45m and is significantly higher than the surrounding fabric. This plaza has a stepped part which faces the west, the direction of the setting sun and can be an attractive view point for watching the sunset. SECTION A-A’
SECTION B-B’
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PROJECTION OF FUTURE GREEN+ BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE MAPPING OF THE URBAN VISION
Proposed landfill sites Proposed Sewage Treatment Plants
Existing Bird Sanctuaries
PROPAGATION OF GREEN AROUND AND DUE TO THE BLUE
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VERTICAL EXPANSION OF LANDFILLS AS A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE
Extension of landfill lifetime extension and costs reduction
Possibility for application and adaptation to the conformation of almost all landfills
Scope for capping of the landfill during its realization
Vertical expansion is an alternative solution to extend the local condition of life span and space limitation of landfill. Increase the lifespan within the existing foot print of the landfill.
Creation of higher air space for waste filling per unit area
Provision of optimal use of current landfill area
COLLABORATION WITH THE EXISTING YAMUNA RIVER PROJECT
Envisioning the Najafgarh drain as the Najafgarh river
Integration of green infrastructure
Connecting green infrastructure
The Yamuna River Project aims to be a catalyst for the urgent recovery of the Yamuna and its tributaries, building a publicly accessible body of information and expertise, and visions of what an alternative future could be.
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2035
PROJECTED DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN AND BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
Landfill Public green spaces Canals Suggested scope for terrace
2030
Connectivity between
2025
Landfill Existing green spaces Canals Connectivity between proposed future green infrastructure
Landfill Existing green spaces
2020
Canals Prospective green spaces that are abandoned
Landfill Existing green spaces in the surroundings Canals
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REFERENCES Shri V. K. Chaurasia, Smt. K. Sravanthi Jeevan. "Landfills." 2015. Singh, Chander & Kumar, Anand & Roy, Soumendu. "Estimating Potential Methane Emission from Municipal Solid Waste and a Site Suitability Analysis of Existing Landfills in Delhi, India." 2017. Shukla, Chinky. "Chinky Shukla Photography." 2015. chinkyshukla.in. "Sparking Hope for Ghazipur's Garbag." 2015. ilfsindia.org. University of Virginia. The Yamuna River Project. 2017. Vijaya Singh, A. Mittal. "Toxicity Analysis and Public Health Aspects of Municipal Landfill Leachate: A Case Study of Okhla Landfill, Delhi." 8th World Wide Workshop for Young Environmental Scientists WWW-YES: Urban waters: resource or risks? Arcueil, France, 2009. Wilkinson, Craig Elevitch and Kim. "Nitrogen Fixing Trees - Multipurpose Pioneers." 1995. https://agroforestry.org/.
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