Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The following chapters examine landscape architecture
which engages in contested territories with an emphasis
on the way in which landscape architecture can engage
with the issues of divided cities or landscapes with similar
social, cultural and physical properties. The project focuses specifically on the potential landscape architecture
has for promoting or aiding in the reconciliation process
of these areas, by examining the following questions.
How can landscape architecture be used to benefit the
peace building process of divided cities and landscapes?
How can landscape architecture be used in the process of
promoting spatial reconciliation in the case of Belfast?
The investigation begins with a description of the background to the project in Chapter 1, which functions as a
brief introduction to the urban phenomena that is divided
cities. It then goes on to introduce the different methods
and data employed in order to answer the research questions
in Chapter 2.

After introducing the problem and the methodology, a
global overview of divided cities is performed in Chapter
3. This chapter is divided into two sections. The first describes the divided city in general terms of shared historical and cultural patterns leading up to the state of ‘ethnic apartheid’ prevalent in this type of city. A summary of these factors serves as a brief introduction to the problem.

The second part of this chapter is an examination of the
role landscape architecture has or can play in providing
spatial reconciliation in Berlin, Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel
as well as other projects in Northern Ireland and Belfast.
This investigation is based on literature and interviews
with academics and professionals working in Belfast, presenting reflections from two perspectives on the problems
and potentials for working with landscape architecture
and public space in divided cities.

After presenting the wider context the focus is narrowed
down in Chapter 4. This section describes the nature of
the division in Belfast and the project area. A historical
background of the events leading up to division is followed
by descriptions of the present day state. This description
is conducted from a compilation of personal observations,
reviewed literature, maps and statistical data.

In the fifth chapter, the project presents and discusses the
result of the design process. This is done in the form of a
proposal for a new public space in North Belfast which relates to the key findings of the investigations into the role of landscape architecture in other divided cities as well as the local context. This proposal presents conceptual ideas and visions for development of an interface area in North Belfast chosen from a particular set of perquisites.

The final chapter, chapter 6, serves as a conclusion for the
research questions, a reflection on the potentials and obstacles for landscape architecture in divided cities and a
general discussion of the project.