Architecture, simply put, operates to make a significant impact on the evolution of society.
Architecture should respond impactfully to the social, economic, and ecological environment we acquire. It should also undoubtedly respond to the psychological mind of humans and enrich their emotional life. The influence of architecture lies in its potential to engage humans with the physical world and activate their awareness of their physical world.
So what happens if architects fail to deliver such responsive architecture to their users? Can the architecture that is related to the evolution of societies also commence its deconstruction? This is a question that is often overlooked but also that needs to be answered with urgency.
Marwa Al Sabouni, an architect based out of Syria suggests that Syria’s architecture not only divided its tolerant and multicultural society but also was one of the key reasons, apart from oppression, drought, and religious differences in the prolonged civil war that the country witnessed.
Sabouni’s perspective on the role architecture played in the Syrian conflict draws attention to the complex relationship between the built environment and the social dynamics. She argues that the architecture not only differentiated and segregated communities but also developed deep societal fractures that intensified the existing tension and division.
Al-Sabouni’s observation brings to light the role that urban planning and architecture play in social cohesion and conflict. In Syria, like many other regions, architecture played a crucial role in social segregation, shaping social hierarchies, and reinforcing power dynamics.
Some key points that Al-Sabouni Highlighted in her book and that can also remain true for other regions around the world:
Unplanned Urbanization:
One important factor that can lead to fractures in the societal fabric is the continuous unplanned growth of the city. Cities are facing mega trends of rapid urbanization. This has the potential to be a transformative force in the face of sustainable development when planned properly and managed. But if this is poorly planned or not planned at all it can lead to congestion with under-serviced localities and dismissal conditions of the building and fractures leading to a higher crime rate, pollution, increased level of inequality, and social exclusion.
Random development of neighborhoods and mixed urbanism with no particular order lack aesthetic sense and can lead to the detachment of its user from their surrounding. Marginalization in the face of an influx of population from neighboring villages to main cities has deep roots. When urbanization favors the development of private sectors such as schools, and university banks, this distinction is enhanced creating polarization based on religion, creed, and class.
Neglect and destruction of cultural architecture:
Architecture and the community it serves have an inescapable correspondence with each other. Architecture unites the community through a shared approach to life. However, due to modernization, there is an evident systematic deterioration and constant removal of important and ancient architectural heritage with irreversible consequences. The undoing of cultural fabric under the banner of urban development has led to the neglect and destruction of ancient architecture in cities around the world. Random and tasteless additions to the urban fabric have done it more harm than favor. Centuries-old buildings are being removed altogether and replaced by concrete blocks. In the scenarios where the buildings are being preserved, the restoration lacks harmony and coherence.
Urbanist architecture does not reflect modernism but instead, it takes no consideration of locality or the climatic conditions of the areas. The form of buildings is dictated by the mood of the designer, the occupant, or the governing authority.
Environmental degradation:
Unplanned and irresponsible architecture not only harms the community it serves but also the environment around it. Fast and rapid urbanization especially in developing countries is not only marked by violence, inequalities, and socio terrritorial exclusion but also is harmful to the environment. Most urban slums lack proper sanitation, decent housing, and proper drinking water.
Poorly planned cities can also destroy habitat, especially if the projects encroach on ecological sites or green spaces. Buildings that fail to consider climate conservation can impact the ongoing climate crisis.
Psychological effects:
Unplanned urbanization leads to overcrowding and congestion which can induce anxiety and stress in the community. The lack of community spaces and green zones exacerbates feelings of confinement and isolation. A lack of community spaces can also diminish the sense of belonging and social connection among residents leading to feelings of alienation and loneliness. Research has shown that architecture affects the mood of its user and their well-being and thus it is crucial for architects to pay attention to the cognitive effect their creation can have on its inhabitants. Urban areas that lack adequate light, sidewalks, or othr safety features lead to increased crime rates thus heightening the levels of fear and stress among residents.
Conclusion:
The built environment is not irrelevant to the well-being of a society. Architecture is the mirror to a community and in the mirror, we can see what is wrong and also find hints as to how to put it right. The destruction of the urban fabric can lead to severe destruction of the moral fabric of the communities as well. To avoid the wrecking of communities like that of Syria it becomes crucial to study the faults that may have impacted the fall of the country and make sure we do not repeat the same mistakes.
References:
Al-Sabouni, M. (2016) The Battle for Home: The Vision of a Young Architect in Syria Thames & Hudson.
TED. (2016) How Syria’s architecture laid the foundation for brutal war. [YouTube video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yqAD0MX3Zk [Accessed 30 January 2024].
