The Acceleration of Chaos

Architecture as a strategy in the aftermath of ruinous events.

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

R.F. Meijer Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

J.A. Kuijper Theory, Territories & Transitions - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
J.M.K. Hanna History, Form & Aesthetics - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
James Ensor ExternalOrganization (coach)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2023 Renée Meijer
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Published Date

06-07-2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

This master thesis answers the following research question:

How can architecture enable communities to rebuild and thrive in the aftermath of ruinous chaos, by rapidly implement simple, sustainable design solutions, whilst acknowledging the chaotic situation and leveraging the receptiveness to change?

The research assumes the inevitability of chaos and explores the events following ruinous chaos, and how a community can be of risk to be exposed to an aid-gap; a period of lacking resources or synergy between stakeholders that prevents a community from recovering after ruinous chaos. A single case-study is conducted within this research, following the aftermath of the Beirut harbour explosion on the 4th of August 2020. It concludes what obstacles occur, two years post blast, and what strategies and prerequisites are promising. The information that is incorporated in this research stems for a multidisciplinary approach, connecting historic, economic, urban, humanitarian and governance viewpoints to the research.
The theoretical framework of this research is based on theories such as Antifragile, Nasim Taleb, Doughnut economics, Kate Raworth, or the transition model of D. Loorbachand. Furthermore, it uses frameworks set up by UN-habitat, The Green Building Council and BHP Foundation.

The findings from this research, including the theoretical framework and fieldwork in Beirut, indicate that an interdisciplinary approach will have a plausible and positive effect on sustainable development. Key approaches can be identified that stimulate and facilitate sustainable recovery and development. These approaches include decentralization, bottom-up approach, accountability and improving synergy between stakeholders by decreasing asymmetric knowledge and data sharing.

Several indicators are found to be highly important in the successful implementation of design interventions: Community ownership over the development, moving away from humanitarian aid towards development as soon as the situation allows, and addressing the psychological impact of the event, in this case, the explosion in the Beirut harbour area.