suteikiama

Suteikiama is a term used in contemporary design discourse to describe a practice that intentionally integrates discarded materials and abandoned spaces into functional landscapes and urban systems. Proponents argue that it supports resilience, resource efficiency, and community engagement by turning waste streams and derelict sites into productive places.

Etymology and scope: The term is a neologism, combining ideas of disposal or discard with living space and ecology. It is not tied to a single national tradition and has appeared in interdisciplinary discussions across architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning.

Applications: In practice, suteikiama encompasses adaptive reuse of buildings and infrastructure, the deliberate inclusion of recycled or waste-derived materials, and the creation of micro-ecosystems such as rain gardens, worm farms, or habitat structures within urban fabrics. Projects emphasize local material cycles, maintenance regimes, and community participation.

History and reception: Suteikiama emerged in the late 2010s through studio work and conference papers rather than through formal standardization. Critics note that the concept can overlap with existing ideas like adaptive reuse, regenerative design, and the circular economy, and call for clearer definitions and measurable outcomes.

See also: Circular economy; Adaptive reuse; Regenerative design; Landscape architecture.