The Battle Field
The Battle Field
Architecture serves a home, place of work and leisure, but can also be a battlefield when corruption, negligence occurs. Though I do not applaud vandalization or the harming of people(both protesters and enforcement). I do believe that when social issues come to light, the public should have a voice and should be heard. The crisis of 1848 was one of the first clear crises of unemployed surplus capital and surplus labor side-by-side and it was European-wide. Is an example that Harvey addresses when a rebellious act of frustration that the French community had on its government. When analyzing a more modern event, the 2012 world cup of Brazil is a perfect example of how the government failed its own people through capitalist greed and inequality . Brazil spent more than 300 Million dollars in the stadium's developments and renovation for an event that only lasted a month. The stadium took in $180,000 in the first 4 months of 2016, while spending about $560,000 in operating costs. The outcome resulted in the Brazilian economy taking a plunge that is still felt today. Architecture is meant to solve problems and provide alternative solutions, but when unauthorized political decisions are made, the outcome can be irreversible.
Another example that comes to mind is the Taj Mahal and the impact it had on the economy of India. It not only cost many laborers their life, but it also drained a large sum of money from the country. It is actually said that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan was planning to build a replica in black stone across the river as his own tomb. Imagine how much more damage that would have been done to the economy for a building that is now primarily a tourist destination.
ReplyDeleteThat's another great example.
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