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Militarised Architecture: Elastic and Dynamic Borders Through the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

Part 1 Dissertation 2020
Yasemin Inani
Ravensbourne University London | UK
This essay examines architectural bordering conditions in the context of militarised spaces, focusing primarily on the weaponization of architecture by Israel in their territorial rule over Palestine since 1967. The investigation approaches borders as the main architectural entity in maintaining geographical- socio-political power. It examines borders as elastic and dynamic, visible and invisible, by proposing three main border typologies: 1. cartographical bordering, 2. physical and visible bordering, and 3. invisible and conceptual bordering.

Constantly shifting geographical boundaries are investigated through comparing official archival maps; legislative reports are inspected to comprehend the paved path of the domination; and primary records of Palestinian and Israeli citizens are considered to expose the human impact of such a complex conflict. Artistic, literary, online social media and newscast sources form the primary material of this research, widening the spectrum of the architectural discipline and its entanglements with lived experience.

As a conclusion, this investigation suggests that erected structures inflict certain rules, cultures, and behavioural norms, manipulating spatial experience. This is particularly significant today as the Israeli PM has recently planned to annex remaining parts of the West Bank, further enclaving remaining Palestinian territories through bordering architectures such as those explored in this essay.


Tutor(s)
Azadeh Zaferani
2020
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