[artinfo] Cities Unbuilt

[e-Flux]

Volume Issue 11: Cities Unbuilt
Out now!

Volume is a collaborative project by
Archis + AMO + C-Lab

info at archis.org
<
http://www.volumeproject.org> http://www.volumeproject.org

Subscriptions/purchase
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http://volumeproject.org> http://volumeproject.org

 
'Destruction is no longer the outcome of blind 
rage, but increasingly a matter of meticulous 
calculation. Destruction has become an 
alternative architecture’
Ole Bouman

‘Cities Unbuilt’ is the first comprehensive 
research on the architecture of destruction. This 
issue offers a detailed analysis on spatial and 
social implications of destruction in various 
parts of the world and discusses issues around 
migration and displacement, 'warchitecture’ and 
'post-warchitecture’, counter-heritage, cultural 
interventions and post-conflict reconstruction 
strategies.

While architectural records regularly hit the 
news with positive developments – even higher 
towers, smarter technologies, stunning designs, 
and iconic buildings – the general daily news is 
negative: man-made destruction caused by conflict 
and war and natural disasters make up large parts 
of the news’ content. Remarkably there is no 
discourse on these subjects within the global 
professional community of architects, yet there 
is a strong correlation between destruction – the 
unbuilding of cities – and the construction of 
buildings.

In this age of realism destruction marks a 
dramatic proliferation of the unbuilding of 
cities worldwide challenging the traditional 
notion of architecture as the vehicle of hope and 
progress. Volume explores the less discussed 
creative sides of destruction, a realm where 
architecture and design play an important part. 
Volume shows how they are engaged in destruction, 
but also what options architecture has to 
confront these situations. Even in destruction 
there is hope.

Three Cahiers are central to this issue – Cahier 
South Caucasus, Cahier Kosovo and Cahier Lebanon 
– framed by a series of introductory essays by 
Ole Bouman, Robert Bevan, Ester Charlesworth, 
Caroline Arnulf, Andrew Herscher and the 
concluding creative agenda with contributions by 
Christian Ernsten and Malkit Shoshan, Nick 
Shepherd and Kai Vöckler amongst others.

Introduction
The Architecture of Destruction (Editorial) – Ole Bouman
Cultural Cleansing – Robert Bevan
Ghost Buildings – Reineke Otten
Architects Should Act! – Esther Charlesworth
To Leave and Let Live. The impact of migration 
and remittances on war-torn cities – Caroline 
Arnulf
World Bank Cities – Andrew Herscher
Maps on Reconstruction – F.A.S.T.
Frozen Memories – Gerlinde Schuller

Cahier South Caucasus
Destruction and Displacement
Introduction: Design for Displacement
Humancon Undercon – Sophia Tabatadze
Dynamics of the South Caucasus Borders – F.A.S.T.
Barda’s Boundaries. Temporary homes and the 
politics of displacement –Malkit Shoshan, 
Christian Ernsten
Extreme Makeover. The reconstruction of 
post-Soviet Karabakh – Malkit Shoshan, Christian 
Ernsten
Photos Dirk-Jan Visser

Cahier Kosovo
Destruction and Illegal Building
Introduction: Kosovo Constructions
Warchitecture/Post-Warchitecture – Andrew Herscher
Invisible Architects – Florina Jerliu
Archis Interventions in Prishtina – Kai Vöckler c.s.
also check the Unbuilt Prishtina blog

Cahier Lebanon
Destruction and Exclusion
Introduction: All Exclusive
City Blogging
Solidere and the Perpetual Reinvention of Downtown Beirut – Michael Stanton
Manic Machines – Christiaan Fruneaux
Public Space Invaders – Joost Janmaat
Design With War in Mind
The Architect’s Dilemma
Photos Aukje Dekker
Pearls for Lebanon – Ole Bouman
Noise Magazine – Studio Beirut
also check the Unbuilt Lebanon blog

Agenda
Violence, Destruction and International Law. An 
interview with Andrew Herscher – Christian 
Ernsten, Malkit Shoshan
Counter Convention – Andrew Herscher
UNESCO World Heritage – F.A.S.T.
Urban Imaginaries andMemories of Violence. Cape 
Town’s Prestwich Street – Nick Shepherd, 
Christian Ernsten
Lifta after Zionist Planning – Malkit Shoshan
Stateless Urbanism – Kai Vöckler
Towards Non-Destructive Aid – Niloufar Tajeri
Planning for Uncertain Cities. Towards an urban 
post-conflict strategy – W. Hackenbroich, T. 
Fuchs, K. Vöckler
Artists and New Urban Horizons – Chris Keulemans
Architecture Extended to Its Contrary (Photonovela) – Christophe Catsaros

FACTS
editor in chief Ole Bouman
contributing editors Rem Koolhaas, Mark Wigley
managing editor Arjen Oosterman
publisher Archis Foundation
format 20.9x29.5, 160 pages (no ads)