Small but significant

This paper examines the significance of the demolition profession in the construction industry, specifically its unique role in the development of salvage practices. Focused on the case of Brussels spanning the years 1860 to 1970, our
research explores the emergence of demolition contractors, their professional backgrounds, careers, and pricing strategies. Our findings reveal that the demolition profession developed as a niche sector within the construction industry, emerging in response to the growing demand for demolition services. Despite its modest size, the demolition sector played a central role in enabling salvage practices, driven by a financial reliance on the trade in second-hand materials. However, this financial dependence rendered the demolition profession more precarious and volatile compared to other construction jobs. A significant transformation took place with the evolution of pricing strategies after the Second World War, diminishing the importance of second-hand materials for demolition contractors’ incomes and thereby opening the door for an increase in demolition waste. Consequently, a study of the demolition profession offers insight not only into the motivations behind salvage practices but also into the challenges associated with demolition waste management, especially in the post-war era.