Essay- The Architecture of Terrorism

16 Pages • Essays / Projects • Year: Pre-2021

Final essay of level 3 core unit - Architecture. It can be argued that there is an inherent and deeply rooted relationship between the built environment and the political spheres of the world. Historical studies of the Architectural profession can lend a deeper understanding to the agenda of political groups, in tandem with the knowledge and perspectives provided by other professions such as journalism or political science. Architecture similarly represents a (very literal) framework within which politics is performed; including the unrest, violence and oppression that naturally follows a hegemonist state, and when studied can provide insight into complex concepts of power, control and state sovereignty. Constructing solid walls as borders is a contemporary technique employed by populist governments with the sole intent to procure supreme power through physical force, manipulating architecture to oppress the citizens and segregate the inferiors. It can be analysed as an indication of the waning sovereignty of modern nation states within an era of urbanisation and globalisation. Over the last 30 years, 70 nations have built walls, to control the inferior masses, including the classes, the races, ethnicities, religions, drugs, weapons, smugglers, taxable goods. This essay examines the role that architecture and the built environment play in oppression when manipulated by populist governments in controlling their people to benefit an agenda. It studies the history and theory of occupation and architecture, and analyses current borders including and barriers erected around the world, and the efficacy of the barrier as a segregational tactic.

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