Millions of people are now displaced due to war in Europe. This is also a reminder that at least 82.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes (UNHCR). Similar to humanitarian response operations, the tasks and content of this studio course may change throughout the academic semester, according to current events and responding to the shifting situation and needs. First, we do not yet have a fixed site. Second, additional tasks may be added between and during announced project phases.
While the studio will be working with real-time challenges, potentially sensitive situations, and partner organizations with specific mandates, the studio will focus on the core of our profession: to provide dignified and safe living conditions for all human beings, including in reception situations. Contributing with our specific skills as built environment experts with well-founded ideas and caring for the ones we design for and with, is a valuable contribution to the situation we are in now, and sought-after skills for the future.
THE EVERYDAY / THE COMMON PLACE
The topics of everyday life and emergency situations are central to this course. A so-called normal, everyday life is something that should not be taken for granted, especially in the context of contingency planning and displacement management, or in neighborhoods facing social challenges. Functions and places that constitute a high degree of livability depend on – among other things – how we design our surroundings. Livability is a central concept in this course, both in everyday situations and in emergencies.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY / THE COLLECTIVE CENTER
Planning for emergencies is similar to urban planning as it attempts to provide capacities for unknown events. However, while emergency planning can steadily produce new strategies, some measures result in residual urban form, situated somewhere, and being present in people's everyday lives. While the type of crisis cannot be predicted with certainty, the consequences of some can to a certain extent be planned for. Displacement is foremost among these.
Displacement can mean many different things. The In Transit Studio applies the term quite broadly and refers to internal and temporary displacement due to sudden events. But it can also refer to new arrivals in a new location after having fled conflict and persecution, which is the focus of this semester.
SEMESTER BRIEF
To design a multi-performing structure – a Collective Center – in Bucharest, Romania. Your proposal should include a transformation of an existing structure as the main component of your proposal, but you can also add new structures. Your proposal should also include integrated urban design elements and urban landscape treatments. The Collective Center must have the capacity to accommodate people in need of a place to stay, temporarily or long-term – that (after completion) can be made available at a moment’s notice. The center must include functions needed for everyday life, which are equally important in a crisis situation. Your project proposals will feed into the contingency planning for increased reception capacity in Romania, Due to these uncertainties of the war, all arrival infrastructure and accommodation facilities should be based on host community conditions.