About this Event
This event is part of Cities at War: Power, Reconstruction and Urban Futures, a three-part series exploring how contemporary conflicts reshape cities.
Bringing together perspectives from research, policy and practice, the series examines the economic, environmental and cultural forces that shape how cities are destroyed and rebuilt, beginning with the environmental and climate impacts of war.
What is at stake when cities are rebuilt after destruction?
Focusing on Gaza, this event explores how architecture, spatial practice and collective memory shape the ways communities rethink their neighbourhoods and cultural identity in the aftermath of devastation and erasure.Rather than understanding rebuilding only as a technical process of replacing damaged or destroyed infrastructure, the conversation asks how rebuilding can help cultivate continuity, dignity and hope, while resisting forms of erasure that can empower community and reshape the identity and history of place.
The discussion will ask how architecture can support memory, belonging and the right to remain and return, and how collaborative and community-led approaches can help sustain cultural identity through conditions of displacement and destruction.The event draws on the work of Architects for Gaza, whose work explores collaborative and community-led spatial interventions rooted in local knowledge, education and the right to city, home and neighbourhood. It also draws on Forensic Architecture’s investigations into Palestine, including their use of spatial analysis, open-source evidence and digital reconstruction to document destruction, environmental harm and violence, and to support accountability, justice and collective memory.
Speakers
Architects for Gaza is a platform bringing together architects, educators, planners, environmentalists and designers to support collaborative approaches to rebuilding Gaza. Working closely with displaced families, its work explores home, memory, collective action and reconstruction rooted in local knowledge, education and hope.
Dr Yara Sharif
Architect, academic and co-founder of Architects for Gaza. Based at NG Architects and the University of Westminster, her work explores architecture as a tool for empowering marginalised communities, with a focus on spatial justice, memory, self-build and reconstruction in Palestine.
Dr Nasser Golzari
Architect, academic and co-founder of Architects for Gaza. Founder of GOLZARI (NG) Architects and Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster, his work focuses on social architecture, participatory design and inclusive cities, with particular attention to contested landscapes, cultural identity and reconstruction in Gaza.
Architects for Gaza members, joining by live link from Gaza
Members of Architects for Gaza based in Gaza will join the conversation by live link, bringing direct perspectives on collaborative rebuilding, planning and community-led spatial practice.
Gaza Municipality
Yahya Sarraj, joining by live link from Gaza
Mayor of Gaza.
Maher Salem, joining by live link from Gaza
General Director of Planning, Gaza Municipality.
Forensic Architecture is a research agency based at Goldsmiths, University of London, using architectural analysis, open-source investigation and digital modelling to investigate human rights violations, environmental violence and state or corporate harm.
Nour Abuzaid
Senior Researcher at Forensic Architecture, where she conducts spatial research, develops computational tools for visualisation and teaches FA research methodologies to collaborators across the MENA region. Her work focuses on making spatial investigation tools accessible to non-expert actors and supporting grassroots research and activism.
The event will be followed by informal networking, with a bar open for drinks and the opportunity to continue the conversation.
In partnership with the JacobsMassey Technical Production Team, delivering the AV and technical production behind the talks and immersive screen experience.
We want this programme to remain accessible while helping us cover the cost of delivering it. Please choose the ticket level that feels right for you. If the £5 ticket would prevent you from attending, please contact us.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00 to GBP 15.00
