Coexistence - the city in Daja Iriji
Extreme Habitat Sahara 2019 competition
In collaboration with Marta Wróblewska
If we think about the beginning of our civilization, we need to start from the first cities. They were the first point from which technological, social and cultural advancement took off. For the past centuries, we have been constantly recreating and upgrading cities to fit the current demands and needs. Currently, most of the people live in cities and this trend will only increase. Our cities are complex organisms that must supply its inhabitants with food, electricity or transport. They have many functions or forms and each one is a unique network of intertwined relations. However, one thing is certain for all of them: the development and growth of modern cities leads to destruction of the natural environment and acceleration of a process known as global warming.
Stopping climate change is currently the most important task that humanity faces and rethinking cities is a crucial aspect for making a viable solution. If we want to do it, the whole concept of a modern city needs to be completely recreated. Either that or in a short time we might be on a brink of extinction.
In the last century, cities went through tremendous technological advancement. Our streets were filled with cars and our houses started to be pleasantly heated. Office workers began to be spoiled by air-conditioning and skyscrapers charmed us with an aura of dominance over surrounding landscape. Modern cities made us fill safe and comfortable. They led us to think that everything is all right and we do not have to do anything. Glass boxes that we currently live in, sometimes offer us spectacular panoramic views, but because of that we do not feel the urge to go outside. Looking at a park and staying at home at the same time? Well, isn’t it convenient?
Safety of modern cities is only illusory – thin as the glass that we look through. Currently, on average any centre of any city is significantly warmer than the suburbs and it will only get worse. We might think that air-conditioning will take care of that but at one point even that will not be enough. Is this technology truly modern if it constantly needs to be more powerful to keep up with our demands?
This is particularly important if we think about a city localized on Sahara – one of the warmest places on earth. Due to global warming, North Africa might become unhabitable by our current standards. To live in such an environment we must understand the landscape and its characteristics, we might be able to create a place that offers means for habitation. Saharan terrain has been created from complex relations between ground, wind, water and sun and to ensure safe habitation in the city we must not break the delicate balance. Building the city in coexistence with nature is the core concept of the project.
Analyzing the Saharan desert, one must take into account various aspects related to climate and terrain. Each element had a vital influence both on the whole masterplan of the city and on the designed habitats.
Water, as a resource necessary for all life, was chosen as the main variable on which the project revolves. None of the buildings is blocking existing river paths and most of the buildings have thin fundaments not to impede surface runoff in any way. Higher development is only introduced in areas on which water does not appear – on extensions of existing scarps. Additionally, riversides were surrounded by green belts for the existing vegetation to thrive. Three main city centres were situated next to those areas. Tower, localized in the centre of the project, serves the purpose of connecting Hyperloop level with the city. It is a platform for travellers to arrive on and it introduces them to the city. Furthermore, it also serves the role of a water bank and water well.
The major elements of the city are various habitats. Each one is addressed for a different type and amount of users. If we are to connect New York and Mumbai with Hyperloop, we must be aware of social and cultural aspects of it and design a space that might additionally enrich the mixing of various nationalities in the process. The city can accustom businessmen, tourists or big families without making any barriers between them.
Furthermore, the houses are based on three types of vernacular dwellings that were developed to adjust to the harsh Saharan climate They offer various solutions for natural air circulation or shading leading to different functional and spatial distribution. Vault House is shaped basing on the natural upper flow of hot air thus its interior is higher than usual. Additionally, in the roof, there are small openings for the air to flow out. Circulation House revolves around the idea of air circulation caused by natural wind. It consists of a tall tower structure that supplies the interior with fresh air. Atrial House deals with the climate with an atrium localized in the centre of it. Air magazines in atrium get colder during the night and thanks to additional shading it stays cold during the day.
They might not be as efficient as air-conditioning and they will not offer us vast panoramas but they help us understand the desert and its climate.
While creating a city in Sahara, we need to ask ourselves, do we want to live in a glass box anywhere in the world or are we living in a desert with its specific demanding climate. Will we coexist with nature or would we rather stay inside?