This webpage will explore the British perspective on waste treatment history in its Mediterranean colonies as the study progresses in 2025-2026.
Archival materials on Palestine or Cyprus under British rule frequently lead back to London, the center of the British Empire. During this period, the Colonial Office oversaw most aspects of governance in these territories. British local governments often sought guidance and financial support from London, and municipal officials and businessmen also valued these connections.
In the context of BLOCYP, "London" refers to British officials, policymakers, experts, and agents. The research aims to map the network of British and local experts who traveled between Great Britain and the Eastern Mediterranean, sharing and gathering knowledge on sanitation. This mapping will help determine if solutions varied across different geographical and cultural landscapes. It will also examine whether European sanitary solutions were adapted to local conditions or implemented without modification. This is a crucial issue in waste management, as the composition of garbage varies according to local nutrition, climate, culture, and economy. Finally, BLOCYP will evaluate whether a cohesive waste treatment policy existed within the British Empire during the interwar period.
This project is funded by the EU Horizon MSCA PF 2024 programme under grant agreement number 101150702 .