The art of demolition.

: An investigation into the demolition process in the Manhattan Project (Brussels, 1967-1995)

Abstract

In recent decades, the debate on the circular economy has gained significant importance in Belgium. To reduce the amount of construction and demolition waste, which accounts for 30% of Belgium's total waste, circular building strategies are put forward. This thesis investigates the process of demolition, which is a crucial yet often neglected phase of the circular building process, by delving into the historical journey of demolition. The thesis will specifically focus on the Manhattan Project. This project, aiming to create a bustling business center in the North District of the Brussels-Capital Region, entailed massive demolition works on a very large area (53 ha), over a long period (1967-1995).
A thorough analysis of the Manhattan Project (based on municipal archives, almanacs, literature review, newspaper articles, historical pictures, etc.) reveals that ‘the art of demolishing’ is a highly complex process, involving many different actors. Therefore, to answer the central research question “How was the demolition process organized in the Manhattan Project?” an analysis is performed on different levels, from the macro-level (on the scale of the city, the district and the project) and the meso-level (in relation the 3 municipalities and the different building blocks that were affected by this project) to the micro-level (looking into worksites and materials). This multi-scale analysis sheds light on the complex dynamic of the factors influencing this sector from the urban towards the material scale. Among other things, the research highlights the destructive trend of "Bruxellisation" and urban degradation due to the uncertainty surrounding the decision to demolish the North District. The Manhattan Project also demonstrates a disregard for the historic urban fabric in favor of accommodating real estate developers. The Manhattan Project ran across the borders of 3 different municipalities: they employed independent strategies to clear the land, including lengthy processes and procedures preceding demolitions. The differences in perspectives among external opinions, contractors, and workers affected salvage and reuse practices, exacerbated by the lack of regulations. The research concludes that the demolition sector in the second half of the twentieth century was heavily influenced by internal and external factors, which either strengthened or corrupted the industry. While
emphasizing the significance of responsible approaches and circular construction across all scales for a sustainable future in the North District, the thesis also showed that a deeper understanding of the historical context is essential for the development of responsible approaches to demolition and waste management. The findings from this investigation can accelerate more environmentally conscious urban development, promoted by circular construction.

Date of Award	27 Jun 2023
Original language	English
Supervisor	Ine Wouters (Promotor), Stephanie Van de Voorde (Promotor), Lara Reyniers (Advisor), Rika Devos (Jury), Ahmed Khan (Jury) & Matthijs Degraeve (Jury)