War Diaries: Design after the Destruction of Art and Architecture

Advanced weaponry systems and the instant flow of information have redefined urban warfare as a local phenomenon with global effects. This volume explores the weaponization of architecture, targeted attacks on art and infrastructure, to destroy political unity and cultural memory. It looks at complex postwar settings to illuminate design responses to urban warfare and violence against the built environment, such as creative strategies for rebuilding and restablizing damaged sites, the establishment of design coalitions, the designing of emergency settlements, and the teaching of culturally sensitive design practices.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: University of Virginia Press

In recent decades, the development of advanced weaponry systems and the rapid dissemination of information have transformed the concept of urban warfare from a localized phenomenon to a global one with far-reaching consequences. The devastating events in Aleppo and the televised demolitions of Palmyra serve as stark examples of the escalating politicization of the destruction process. In this timely volume, Elisa Dainese, Aleksandar Stani?, and a diverse group of contributors delve into the weaponization of architecture, which involves targeted attacks on art and infrastructure aimed at erasing not only physical structures but also political unity and cultural memory.

War Diaries takes a closer look at complex postwar environments to shed light on design responses to urban warfare and violence against the built environment. The essays explore innovative strategies for rebuilding and stabilizing damaged sites, often in the face of ongoing hostilities. They discuss the formation of design coalitions to collaborate with local communities in reconstruction efforts, the design of emergency settlements, the development of new and tailored approaches for rebuilding diverse regions of the ravaged world, and the teaching of culturally sensitive design practices to architects and urbanists, among other topics.

This volume is a vital contribution to our understanding of postconflict design, mapping the creative approaches employed by specialists to mitigate the effects of violence against cities and cultural heritage. It underscores the critical role of architects, planners, and artists in shaping resilient and inclusive urban environments that can withstand the challenges of conflict and adversity.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813948010