Politics, we can all agree, is an inextricable part of our lives, unequivocally prevalent in every facet of our sociocultural fabric. It is a powerful, strategic battle played out between two or more parties vying for the most coveted possession— power. The power to rule, not just over vast lands but also over people’s minds. The power to influence society, economics, culture, art and even architecture. Art and architecture especially have played a vital role in politics, as they are strong, effective mediums that possess the capability to sway the audience by communicating the intended message. Architecture, in particular, is a preferred instrument, as it is a symbol of permanence and endurance. A gigantic time capsule of sorts, preserved for all of mankind’s benefit. An incandescent repertoire of man’s beliefs, principles and aspirations avowing to withstand the ravages of Father Time. It is a marker of change, a testament to society’s evolution over time, tailored constantly to accommodate the needs of its host.
Politics and architecture have long since the dawn of time—and now more so than ever— been synonymous with change. The politics of architecture has been exercised for centuries to transform societies, challenge traditions, and establish new milestones. Every community—whether political, cultural or geographic—has utilised architecture as a bold, evocative device to establish its identity and to assert its authority in a subtle yet engaging manner. Emperors and statesmen have, time and again, turned to art, literature and architecture to establish their foothold over newly conquered realms and win over their subjects. From constructing a grand regal palace, illustrative of the authority, to offering housing infrastructure for the socio-economically backward groups, to creating a new image for the city, architecture has been a pivotal instrument for its patrons. Regardless of form, scale or appearance, it is a veritable indication of society’s cultural and historic wealth. Praised sometimes for upholding historical values and criticised other times for their radical outlook, here are some examples of how politics and architecture together have shaped cities and nations throughout history.
Designing Power: Architecture as a Symbol of Authority
When you think about architecture as symbols of power or authority, you can find that history is rife with endless examples. For instance, the Mughal architecture and British or colonialist architecture in India are apt examples of the above statement. Spanning over a combined total of four centuries, these buildings are a reminder of India’s imperial and colonial past. Whether it be the Red Fort in Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra or the palace complex in Fatehpur Sikri or the government buildings dotted across the country, every structure exemplifies the influence of these rulers. These buildings were established across the state as political strongholds, either behaving as luxurious palaces, administrative spaces, or even as civic spaces. If you look far beyond these examples, moving further into the past, you can find the vestiges of countless other imperial dynasties across nations, who have erected hundreds of edifices in their ruling period. While these structures may have operated as spaces of authority and governance in the past, they now constitute the country’s historical and cultural wealth, weaving a rich, diverse and beautiful tapestry across the nation.
It’s Makeover Time: Using architecture to initiate reform
As is the case with ancient history, politics and architecture continue to behave as inseparable entities throughout modern history and the present. Whether it be the Industrial Revolution in the States, which birthed several Modernist movements, or the post-independence period in India, architecture has been utilized to exercise reform and embrace the technological developments to create a smooth-functioning, egalitarian society. Conforming with the democratic trend, spaces and buildings have transformed accordingly to reflect the political scenarios of the times. Although critics and historians might find modern architecture to be dull and drab, as opposed to the refined intricate styles of the past, one can certainly argue that architecture has evolved drastically owing to innumerable technological innovations that have opened the doors to infinite possibilities. Deviating from their predecessors, architects such as Corbusier, Correa, Achyut Kanvinde, BV Doshi, and Laurie Baker have worked relentlessly to create designs that are more open, transparent and accessible to the larger public. Doshi’s low-cost housing project (which won him the Pritzker Prize) and Laurie Baker’s designs have, without a doubt, drawn inspiration from the concepts of the past to create affordable, accessible and sustainable buildings.
Post-independence in 1947, the government called upon these modern architects to build a strong, resilient urban fabric for a modern India. Over the years, they have also collaborated with the architects and designers across the country to establish completely new capital and civic buildings that could reflect a modern, independent and self-reliant India. Some notable examples include the redesign of Chandigarh city by Le Corbusier, where the architect designed the city and some important civic buildings (the Chandigarh High Court, the Palace of Assembly, the Secretariat Building, etc.), and most recently, the Central Vista redesign project in New Delhi, carried out by HCP Architects, where the parliament and the associated buildings were redesigned to reflect a new, modern India.
Ruins and Remembrance: Negative impacts of political agendas on architectural identity
While one might tend to overlook the detrimental influence of politics on architecture, it is impossible to do so, given the countless ruins found across the world. In what one might consider the deadliest and most barbaric moves in the political agenda, destroying architectural symbols as part of erasing history certainly takes the top spot. Acts of violence and terrorism have been carried out throughout history to aid the cause of identity erasure, annihilating any and every relic or vestige of the pre-existing communities or native residents. These are either left to decay or replaced by new structures (belonging to the new government/successors). Such violent and sadistic measures are employed to exercise oppression, destroy the urban and sociocultural fabric, and bring down the morale of the nation. Whether it be the 9/11 attack on the WTC in the US, the destruction and defacement of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan or the bombings of the cities of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, these atrocious acts have caused immense pain and loss for the respective nations. Undeniably, these are instances where one wishes that architecture and development be left out from the political warfare. However, considering the impossibility of such an instance, stricter measures have been adopted by governments across the globe to prevent such disasters in the future, opting instead for peaceful negotiations.
Protest with a Pinch of Creativity: Using Architectural Movements as Mediums of Rebellion
As is often the case with politics and governance, one always faces opposition no matter what stand is opted for by the ruling parties. This is true across various sectors, such as industrial, commercial, medical or sometimes even educational sectors. Protest is a form of expressing your ideas and opinions, urging the opposition to reconsider their decisions, especially when it might prove harmful for the public. Architects and designers have, over the years, used architecture as a form of expressing their opinions and rebelling against political propaganda. For instance, the Bauhaus Movement was started by Walter Gropius and his fellow colleagues in 1919, Germany, as a means of opposing the brutalist Nazi architecture. The movement promoted the use of regional arts and crafts and its integration with the modern, flexible style of design, unlike its dull, uniform and rigid counterpart. Despite receiving immense popularity and support, it faced serious opposition by the Nazi government, which ultimately led to its demise in 1933.
In the last decade or so, protest architecture has emerged as an ingenious response to hostile architecture. Architects and designers worldwide have designed several installations, products, and compositions that can be used to hold huge protests. These help the public communicate their wishes while resisting brutal police tactics to disperse them and conduct their protests successfully. Protest architecture has certainly been an inspiring movement that has garnered appreciation for its amusing and provocative approach.
From the abovementioned examples, it is evident that politics and architecture have always been intertwined with each other and remain so. Regardless of scale, subject or purpose, they always influence one another, driving a radical change in the infrastructural development of the society. Although they might appear as mutually exclusive entities in theory, history definitely proves otherwise and throws light on its merits and demerits. Therefore, with proper intent and rationale, the duo can be combined to create an inexorable force that can be used for the betterment of the city and its people.
References List:
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