1.8. Case Study: Nicosia

We are also living in the state of wars, we are living in the state of contestation that is where an example of Nicosia, you know how a cities broken into 2 countries, this belongs to two countries; one is the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus and Greek part of the Cyprus which is a Nicosia.

Nicosia is a unique case study because it is the only divided capital in Europe. This division is not simply political but has propelled Nicosia into different cultural, social, and economic realities based on its partition. This circumstance exemplifies how geopolitical conflicts can influence disaster recovery approaches, showcasing the importance of integrated strategies to manage recovery and planning.

Imagine a friendship that has soured, leading to a split where both friends refuse to speak to each other. In this case, Nicosia acts similarly with its division; each side has developed its own distinct identity, leading to different perspectives on how to rebuild the city in the face of challenges.

In this conditions obviously, how to channel the services, how to have a holistic understanding of DRR, you know whether it is the natural made or a man-made disasters, how we need to have bring back consent.

The divided nature of Nicosia presents unique challenges for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Different governing bodies, cultural backgrounds, and priorities complicate the coordination of disaster response efforts. A comprehensive understanding of both natural and man-made disasters is crucial, and seeking consensus among divided stakeholders is essential for effective recovery processes.

Consider two neighboring coffee shops that used to work together. Now, due to a disagreement, they refuse to cooperate. If a storm damages both shops, they must figure out how to recover without directly communicating. This illustrates the need for a strategic plan that involves negotiation and consensus, much like what is needed in Nicosia.

These are some of the challenges which we have and the great people like Laurie Baker who actually worked with the poor and especially, developed the low-cost technologies, how we can actually work with local masons, how to train the local mason, so these are all some of the bottom-up approaches of how we can engage these communities.

Laurie Baker's work exemplifies bottom-up approaches in disaster recovery by emphasizing local participation and low-cost solutions. Engaging communities, particularly in building and recovery processes, fosters a sense of ownership and fosters resilience. Training local masons and utilizing indigenous technologies can lead to sustainable development while building community capacity.

Think of a garden where the gardener involves local volunteers to plant flowers. Instead of bringing in expensive landscaping services, they teach the community how to grow and care for plants themselves. This not only beautifies the neighborhood but also empowers local residents to take pride in their environment, similar to the community engagement needed in recovery efforts in Nicosia.

But then the same aspect, we also have to look at the long-run adaptation of these efforts like for example, in Jungle Chula, what you can see is what Laurie Baker have designed on the right-hand side but what the communities have developed their own initiatives later on and today, one have a very great difficulty even finding out the locating what the Laurie Baker have designed exactly.

The evolution of designs in places like Jungle Chula illustrates the dynamic nature of community adaptations. While initial designs may serve a purpose, communities evolve their needs and create modifications over time. This highlights the importance of flexible planning in disaster recovery, ensuring that solutions not only address immediate needs but also allow for future adaptations as community dynamics change.

Imagine a smartphone app that was perfect when created but as users engage with it, they discover new features and ways to use it, leading to updates that stray from the original design. Similarly, in recovery efforts, community-driven changes can lead to more relevant and effective solutions, even if they deviate from the original architectural vision.

Similarly, some NGOs like Hunnarshala, where they are also organizing various summer training courses for the people and students of architecture, that how one can learn with the communities you know, so being with the communities and working for the communities, it also benefit not only the student who is there and learning interacting with the outside world, it will also benefit the community, it will reduce the cost, it will you know certain; there is a win-win situation in both the aspects.

Programs organized by NGOs like Hunnarshala create a symbiotic relationship between architecture students and local communities. Students gain practical experience working on real-world projects, while communities receive skilled assistance without high costs. This collaborative approach to learning and recovery can enhance the resilience of both students and the communities they serve.

Consider a cooking class where students from a culinary school cook meals for a local shelter. The students gain hands-on experience, while the shelter receives home-cooked meals. This mutual benefit fosters learning and community support, mirroring the outcomes seen in architectural collaborations.

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