Emelie Andrews – BA3

This essay looks at “temporary” and “permanent” in relation to refugee camps, initially in physical and structural terms and subsequently through psychosocial aspects. Based on an understanding of works by Manuel Hertz (2013) and Andrew Herscher (2017), it discusses the rationale behind the original production of basic, temporary shelter for refugees and expand on the theories behind why host countries often fail to assure the safety and security afforded by more permanent shelter. From this, the essay moves towards a more psychological understanding of the terms temporary and permanent, discussing how countries have successfully introduced schemes into camps that allow the inhabitants to gain skills through education and work. I will discuss how by providing more than just shelter, refugees are given hope of a more independent, secure future within their destination country and in turn a sense of permanence, not achieved through structure alone, but including examples ranging from trade markets in Kenya to educational schemes in Berlin in order to demonstrate that, by creating opportunities, stability and permanence, refugees can be provided with more than simply a place of waiting and instead have the ability to live fulfilling lives despite displacement. Furthermore, this essay suggests how the need for temporary refugee camps can be reduced, and provides an overview of approaches governments can implement to work towards successful integrational schemes.

Lily Street - MArch 2

This is a manifesto for the revival of neglected coastal towns in the UK. The combined findings presented in this paper promote an alternative development strategy that utilises the catalytic and experimental nature of temporary environments to reinvigorate and sustain coastal communities.

Literature reviews and precedent analysis exhibit various theoretical concepts and practice-based references of temporary environments and their strategic approaches, revealing specific strategies for specific purposes. The findings honed in on pertinent implications that temporary environments can have on architectural and urban design, highlighting their ability to repurpose, revitalise and reconnect exiting sites. Whilst some temporary environments are utilised purely for a transitory purpose, others can provide permanent transformation of forgotten spaces and abandoned buildings, as well as catalysing further regeneration of the wider urban context.

Primary research involved a combination of practical and theoretical methodologies to identify specific challenges within neglected coastal towns. A critical selection process revealed that Blackpool and Barrow-in- Furness were suitable urban contexts to conduct local investigations. Site visits and online questionnaires identified characteristics underpinning the urban complexion and revealed specific challenges. Whilst providing an awareness of how temporary environments can address specific challenges, the study demonstrates this capability through a conceptual and programmatic typology, which concludes the thesis in a novel and original manner.

Mohamad Hafeda - Book

Drawing on innovative research into sectarian-political struggle in Beirut, Mohamad Hafeda shows how boundaries in a divided city are much more than simple physical divisions and reveals the ways in which city dwellers both experience them and subvert them in unexpected ways. Through research based on interviews, documentation of various media representations such as maps, visual imagery and gallery installations, Negotiating Conflict in Lebanon exposes the methods through which sectarian narratives are constructed - arguing for the need to question, deconstruct and transform these constructions. Hafeda expands upon the definition of bordering practice by considering artistic research as a critical spatial practice which allows self-reflection and transformation of border positions. This study offers an alternative view to the mainstream narratives of what is meant by a border, and provides insights, methods and lessons that may be applied to other cities around the world affected by conflict and political-sectarian segregation.

(Description taken from publisher)

Hafeda, M. (2019) ‘Negotiating Conflict in Lebanon’ London, IB Tauris

George Epolito - Presentation at DMU symposium

The presentation builds on the prior one given at DMU, however with greater specificity. In the particular case of Latin America, the migration of Italian ideas regarding art and architecture were received by locals with a preference towards the Cuban concept of Transculturation or it cousin Brazilian concept of Antropophagite. In contrast, the intent mostly of the Italian cultural elite was towards Acculturation. The former concepts emphasised a positive contamination of ideas, an appropriation of various sources (presences) in order to create new hybridised wholes, whilst the latter preferred to impose their single, self-proclaimed culturally superior, approach (influence). The presentation highlights texts written by key 20th Century cultural promoters on both sides of the Atlantic in support of this argument. More recent scholarly activities devoted to the subject are also analysed in order to better understand how contemporary views often still follow the same pattern of migrated ‘presences’ versus ‘influences’. The few exceptions are also noted.