Dross City: Urban Metabolism

Dross is waste: solid impurities that form on the surface of the smelting pot. While most is thrown away, some is reusable or recyclable. Hence 'DrossScape', a term conceived by land economist Alan Berger. Working off Berger's theories, this book explores the concept of waste-culture, where entire cities are built atop of mountains of their own refuse. Photographs depict wastelands as places removed from the urban sprawl, as well as islands within it—hidden away or in plain sight. But in all cases, these dilapidated landscapes have latent potential.

"Dross City" works towards a new urban metabolism. It includes projects and research that interrogate the current and future city, its geographical structure, infrastructures, and forms of settlements. It looks at recycling strategies and multi-scalar design approaches, with the intention of encouraging interest in the DrossScape.