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.

Carlo Gasparrini, architect and urbanist, is Professor of Urbanism at the University of Naples.