Wicked Problem: Toxic Waste Disposal in Historic Restoration

Savanna  Day-Meneely

doi:10.7273/000008028

"Design theory is a system that explains the fundamental principles and elements of design. It is the understanding of the physical aspects of design as well as the psychological angles in design. It helps designers to understand not only how to make spaces more visually appealing, but also how to create an environment that influences well-being and sustainability. This ties into the context of historic restoration, and the wicked problem of the disposal of toxic materials. Materials like asbestos, lead paint, and PCBs, all of which pose complex challenges that do not have simple solutions for design, health, and the environment. The disposal of toxic materials is a wicked problem. The complexities of handling potentially harmful materials include balancing ethical decisions, such as choosing materials that honor human health, with practical decisions, such as managing historic elements and spaces. These decisions affect not only the future occupants; they can also impact the laborers and the proximal neighbors of a site. The social consequences of these disposal decisions will affect the communities that live near these disposal sites and may suffer from poor waste management. Regulations and preservation standards are also conflicting aspects that designers must navigate around and between to protect buildings with historic authenticity and the safety of the communities and environment. Understanding design theory and its importance allows designers to approach this wicked problem systemically. The disposal of these toxic and harmful materials involves ethical, environmental, and cultural trade-offs that can still cause negative impacts on the health of the surrounding community. The theoretical framework of these types of problems encourages designers to consider how the ripple effect of their disposal choices, such as where these materials end up, whose lives are impacted by these decisions and what values are preserved or compromised in this historic restoration effort. This paper uses the Ten question framework to explore toxic waste disposal in historic restoration, examining how values, bournaries, lived experience, sensory and ethical considerations, materials, ecological systems, and a case study reveal the complexity of designing within this issue."

Wicked Problem: Toxic Waste Disposal in Historic Restoration

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