Guerrilla Architecture
I think that the Guerrilla Architect video was a beautiful example of how architecture is a political practice. Obviously, there are different degrees to this political nature, and each architect has the opportunity to decide where they stand and how directly they incorporate politics into their practice. The situation in 2014 that is illustrated in the video is really interesting in Spain. The credit has washed up and the government lacked the ability to fund projects that were more than halfway done, leaving urban skeletons sprawling across the country. The architect highlighted in the video utilizes his status toward addressing real issues for real people in real communities. He defines the architecture to a level where it is almost educational and communal. He lays the foundation, and lets the community define the projects. There are instances where the architect highlights the government and cities themselves as being inadequate in terms of supporting its residences. Money is wasted to reurbanize spaces in ways that are disconnected with the community they reside. Projects are left unfinished, when architects like the ones followed in the video could be hired to transform skeletons into areas with the ability to flourish. Guerrilla architecture is beautiful, but it is also illegal in Spain, as the architect states. That in and of itself is contradictory to a progressive political state, something that the country should seek to achieve in my opinion. At a larger scale and relating to the texts, this shows specifically how the government and city becomes a space for conflict. It shows that people should have the right to occupy these abandoned, neglected spaces in ways that they please. The very name of Harvey’s text is interesting in this context, “The right to the city”. If these people and architects truly have the right to the city, then why are the beneficial practices involving self build illegal. It truly is just people utilizing their resources in a manner that aligns with urban renewal and progression.
I thought your post was interesting and it also gave a good summary for the video. Reading the end of your post when you start to talk about the abandoned spaced, I couldn’t help but getting a “Junkspace” vibe from them. I wonder what would happen if we began to focus on these abandoned spaces and how we can partner with communities to transform them and bring them to life. For example, there are two big, paved lots off of Laurens road in Greenville where buildings used to stand (or paving began and the site never got bought to be developed on) and every time I pass them I wonder when they are going to be developed. I can predict that the limiting factor is money and investment, but what if we could get funding for this site and many others like it for the community? I just believe that eventually we (as a species) are going to run out of space and will be forced to revitalize the underdeveloped, so why not start now?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely. Santiago is a citizen and he is trying to help others and himself reclaim his city. He is a fantastic example of how architecture can be political and respond to the everyday problems produced by poor politics.
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