Beautification of a City Using Scraps: Creative and Sustainable Transformation

Sustainable Aesthetics: Scrap-Based Beautification Reshaping Urban Landscapes

Urban areas around the world face challenges of pollution, waste, and the need for sustainable development. In response to these issues, many cities are turning to innovative approaches for beautification that also prioritize environmental conservation and community engagement. One such approach is beautifying a city using scraps, where discarded materials are repurposed to enhance the aesthetics of urban spaces.

Scrap turns into sculptures at Coimbatore, India

Scrap, retrieved from Coimbatore’s landfills, turns into vintage-inspired installations at Ukkadam Periyakulam, driving home the message of building a clean city.  A 13-feet-tall replica of a vintage gramophone gleaming with a coat of rain-proof paint is already a show stopper at Ukkadam Periyakulam or Coimbatore Big Tank.

“It’s a starting point for art appreciation in the city,” says Ramkumar, a sculptor based in Chennai, India, adding that the sculptures make visitors spare a thought on how to cut down on waste sent to the landfill. The team have been working with old street light poles, iron pipes, steel sheets, broken pieces of furniture, and parts of abandoned vehicles from government offices, turning scrap into jaw-dropping art installations.

As part of the beautification initiatives undertaken in the city as part of a programme launched by the Government of Tamil Nadu, a replica of a vintage car was added to pay homage to the city’s role and contribution to automobile revolution.

The planning team wanted to make it a vibrant selfie point as well drive home the message on the quantum of waste that is generated in the city every day, which is 1200 tonnes. While 500 tonnes goes into the land fill, the remaining is repurposed. Every single installation will be accompanied by a display board that gives details on scrap items used while making the sculpture.

The team drew up a list of forgotten items and recreated them to stir in a sense of nostalgia. Currently, five giant sculptures made out of scrap including the gramophone, a rotary telephone set, a hand pump and a car catch our attention at Periyakulam.  

On World Earth Day, Coimbatore Corporation and phase4 architects created a wave art installation in Ukkadam Periyakulam with tonnes of plastic bottles collected from the foothills of Coimbatore. The wave pattern of the art work resembling a wave pattern represented the destructive impact of plastic on natural asset and created awareness on cutting down plastic consumption. The main objective is that the beautification drives should bring in a sense of responsibility among the public - to keep the city clean, just like their home.

Benefits of Beautification Using Scraps

Environmental Conservation: Beautification projects using scraps reduce the demand for new materials and help divert waste from landfills, contributing to a more sustainable urban environment.

Community Engagement: Such projects often involve local residents, artists, and volunteers, fostering a sense of community and pride in the city's transformation.

Cost-Effective: Utilizing discarded materials can significantly lower project costs, making beautification more accessible for cities with limited budgets.

Inspiration: These projects inspire creativity, innovation, and a new perspective on waste materials, encouraging individuals and businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.

Tourism and Economic Growth: Attractively beautified spaces often draw tourists, boosting local economies through increased business opportunities.

Beautifying a city using scraps is an innovative and sustainable approach to urban development. It demonstrate the potential for creating beautiful, eco-friendly, and community-focused spaces from discarded materials. Cities can not only enhance their aesthetics but also promote environmental sustainability, community engagement, and economic growth. The transformation of waste into art and urban beauty serves as a powerful reminder of the possibilities that lie in our commitment to a greener and more creative future.