5. Architecture at Risk

Which is normally referred with a geographical location by the Latitude and longitude, and it also reflects through its material form and which is a physical features, whether is a hill architecture, whether it is the coastal architecture, whether it is through its natural settings and the built environments.

Places are defined not just by their geographical coordinates, like latitude and longitude, but also by their physical characteristics. This includes buildings and structures found in different environments, such as hillsides or coastal areas. These physical features contribute to how we perceive a place.

Think of New York City as an example. Its identity is tied to its skyscrapers and urban landscape, but also to its parks, rivers, and bridges. All these physical forms combine to create a unique sense of place that is recognizable and meaningful to people.

More importantly, the place is associated with the meanings and the values that the people or the communities invest in them so this is where the identity comes in.

A place is not only defined by its physical attributes but also by the meanings and values that communities assign to it. This is where identity becomes relevant; people connect emotionally and culturally to the places they inhabit or interact with.

Consider a family home. While its physical structure is important, the memories, experiences, and emotional attachments that individuals associate with that home give it a profound sense of identity.

So many geographers talk about place is a social construct, Doreen Massey talks about it is a social construct, and we actively make places and our ideas of place are products of the society in which we live.

Geographers like Doreen Massey argue that places are social constructs. This means that our perceptions of places are shaped by cultural context, experiences, and the society we live in. As we interact with our environments, we create and reshape our ideas of places.

Imagine a local park. For some, it’s a space for recreation; for others, it might be a cultural venue for events. Each interpretation is shaped by individual experiences and societal influences.

A small example for the students to understand I hope many of you have seen the movie of Cast Away, where Tom Hanks played a role of a Korea person...

The movie 'Cast Away' illustrates how a person can create a sense of place even in isolation. Tom Hanks's character transforms an uninhabited island into a meaningful space over four years, making tools, establishing routines, and forming an emotional bond with a volleyball named Wilson. This demonstrates the deep connections people can establish with places.

This is similar to how soldiers might develop camaraderie with their environment during deployment, finding solace and attachment even in harsh conditions, thereby creating a sense of belonging.

So here whatever it is not just only for the food or the shelter it is how a man makes a sense of belonging with other individual though it is not a living being...

The emotional bonds people form with inanimate objects, like Wilson in 'Cast Away', show that connection to place can arise from our interactions, even with non-living entities. These attachments can provide comfort and a sense of identity during challenging times.

Think about childhood toys that hold great sentimental value. Even after growing up, those toys can evoke strong emotions and memories, illustrating how we can connect deeply to non-living objects.

Like some of the post-disaster experience which where my journey have started. There is Latur earthquake on the right-hand side recovery and the Gujarat earthquake...

Post-disaster recovery highlights the immediate need for housing solutions. After disasters like earthquakes, individuals face challenges in finding suitable homes. The tendency to accept whatever is provided can lead to long-term abandonment of these structures if they do not align with the community's needs.

Consider communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. Many homes were constructed quickly for relief, but many were left empty after residents sought refuge elsewhere or found the provided solutions unsuitable, illustrating the complex relationship between immediate need and long-term satisfaction.

So that is where I can just briefly talk about what Lefebvre talks about. Lefebvre talks about 3 aspects, one is conceived space, lived space, perceived space...

Henri Lefebvre presents a framework for understanding space through three dimensions: conceived space (where planners design spaces based on ideologies), perceived space (how individuals interact and use spaces), and lived space (the emotional and intuitive connection people have to spaces). This framework provides a better understanding of how we engage with our environments.

Think of a city park. Planners visualize it as a green space for recreation (conceived space), people enjoy picnics and sports in it (perceived space), and children may feel joy and a sense of freedom when playing there (lived space), showcasing how multiple perceptions of a place coexist.

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