Arctic as Territory
an intrumentalization of offshore urbanization towards Arctic agency
K.T. Hauge (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
N. Katsikis – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
F. Rizzetto – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
F.A.M. Hobma – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Design & Construction Management)
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Abstract
The Arctic is increasingly under pressure from intensifying anthropogenic forces, particularly the expansion of extractive industries and associated infrastructure into previously inaccessible maritime zones, including along the Northern Sea Route (NSR). These developments are accelerating a shift from the Arctic as a largely remote cryospheric system to a strategically integrated corridor of shipping, resource extraction, and geopolitical competition. The rapid and uneven expansion of industrial activity in these waters reflect a broader problem of providing agency to territories beyond the Westphalian system.
Methodologically, the Arctic was conceptually established as a territory beyond Westphalianism through the concept of territoriality by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari. From there the material and expressive components of the territorial assemblage were investigated. A biophysically-based counter-force to the anthropogenic intrusion of the NRS was then configured through existing offshore infrastructure.
The main design results from the transit field were 1) a nodal-based border could operate as an Arctic boundary in alignment with its non-Westphalian nature and in collaboration with Westphalian governance systems, 2) a the most effective means of responding to the intrusion of NRS is by confining it close to shore, 3) the establishment of an anti-EEZ from the nodal positions would strengthen the balance along the marine-terrestrial (eco)nomical transect.
These findings open up broader questions regarding the reconceptualization of territory beyond Westphalian sovereignty, and suggest directions for further research into governance models capable of addressing overlapping and multi-scalar territorial regimes across nation states and environmental systems.
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