DR. MARIA GABRIELLA TROVATO (NMBU, Oslo-Norway) - REPAIRING AND CARING FOR AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Introduction to Professor Maria Gabrielato

Background and Roles

• Professor Maria Gabrielato is an associate professor at NMBBU Oslo, Norway, and the American University of Beirut (AUB).

• She leads the international master's program in landscape architecture for global sustainability.

• Additionally, she directs a working program in disaster and risk resilience at the International Federation of Landscape Architects (ILA).

• Gabrielato chairs the ILA group "Landscape Architects Without Borders."

Overview of the Green Palestine Program

Collaborative Efforts

• The lecture series is part of the Green Palestine program, supported by NABL, Belgium's international cooperation agency.

• It involves collaboration between two projects: Palisab and MDLF (Municipalities Development and Lending Fund in Palestine).

• The series features authoritative voices from the Levant region, specifically Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Concluding Lecture by Gabriela

Significance of the Session

• Today's lecture serves as a culmination of previous discussions focused on Lebanese experiences in landscape architecture.

• Alexandra expresses gratitude towards Gabriela for concluding this lecture series on sustainable landscape techniques.

Gabriela's Presentation Overview

Research Focus

• Gabriela will share her research findings along with student work from AUB and NMBU.

• Her academic focus centers on interventions addressing crises through a landscape approach.

The Importance of Land

Key Quote and Insights

• Citing Robbie Nielson: "The land is the means for livelihood. Its power, status, security is its most powerful asset."

• Emphasizes that human activities have significantly transformed landscapes over recent decades.

Contested Landscapes

Concept Introduction

• Introduces "contested landscapes," highlighting disputes over land possession due to occupation or misuse.

• Discusses how these conflicts lead to social environmental tensions and inequalities within affected territories.

Understanding Repair and Care in Society

The Concepts of Repair and Reparation

• The marginalized groups in society, as well as non-human beings, are often at risk. The speaker introduces the concepts of repair and care.

• Reparation is defined as making amends, typically through financial compensation for wrongdoings, especially in contexts of conflict or war.

• Beyond monetary compensation, reparation also involves reconciliation and addressing forms of injustice to make things right.

Everyday Use of Repair

• The term "repair" is commonly used in daily life, often associated with restoring or mending objects that have been damaged.

• In contemporary times, the concept has evolved; people now frequently repair clothing due to past economic constraints and a less consumer-driven culture.

• A contrast is drawn between past practices of repairing items until they were unusable versus today's consumerism leading to wastefulness.

Environmental Impact and Youth Initiatives

• Landfills filled with discarded clothes highlight the environmental damage caused by consumerism, particularly in developed countries.

• There are significant pollution issues stemming from this waste accumulation; however, youth initiatives are emerging to address these problems positively.

• Young people are organizing efforts not only to combat pollution but also to promote social justice alongside environmental care.

Exploring the Concept of Care

• The term "care" is often overused without deep consideration; it can carry both positive and negative connotations in everyday language.

• A quote from Tom van Duran emphasizes that caring is an active practice that fosters awareness about interconnectedness on our planet.

Curiosity as a Component of Care

• Donna Haraway's work suggests that caring involves a commitment to curiosity—seeking knowledge beyond initial understanding.

• This curiosity challenges societal norms and encourages critical thinking about what we consider 'normal' or acceptable behaviors.

Acts of Care Amidst Conflict

• Recent events in Gaza illustrate acts of care during times of destruction; these actions reflect concern for both human and non-human entities affected by conflict.

• Such acts serve as foundational elements upon which societies rebuild after crises, emphasizing ecological restoration alongside social recovery.

The Role of Landscape Architecture in Bridging Human and Ecological Systems

Introduction to Landscape Architecture's Mission

• The President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects emphasizes that the profession aims to connect human systems with ecological systems, advocating for designs that work with nature to foster resilient, healthy, and equitable environments.

Collective Action and Water Security

• The European Landscape Association (ELA) serves as a global advocate for landscape-led design, prioritizing water security as a fundamental aspect of their agenda.

Personal Connection to the Mediterranean Region

• The speaker shares a personal connection to Sicily, highlighting its historical transformation over millennia and how this has shaped cultural identity and diversity rather than leading to degradation.

Challenges in the Mediterranean Region

• The Eastern Mediterranean has faced significant conflict and transformation over the past century. Lebanon is introduced as a case study due to its rich history amidst ongoing crises.

Educational Experience in Lebanon

• While teaching at the American University of Beirut since 2012, the speaker reflects on navigating educational challenges in Lebanon's complex socio-political landscape.

Student Projects Addressing Environmental Issues

Thesis Presentation Overview

• Three student projects presented at an international landscape event focus on climate change impacts within Lebanon, showcasing innovative approaches to environmental restoration.

Project Focus: Shu Biosphere Reserve

• One project targets an area near Shu Biosphere Reserve where students investigate legal queries affecting land use post-civil war, aiming for ecological restoration while respecting existing regulations.

Historical Context of Land Use

• Following the closure of quarries in 2009 without remediation efforts, students explore strategies for healing landscapes scarred by industrial activity while considering both social needs and ecological health.

Water Management Strategies

• Students propose methods for repairing damaged landscapes by integrating community stewardship with technical solutions for water management—critical given Lebanon's water pollution issues despite its natural abundance.

Urban Challenges in Beirut Post-Civil War

Illegal Developments Along Coastal Areas

• A second project shifts focus to Beirut’s coastal areas affected by illegal developments following civil unrest. This highlights ongoing urban planning challenges exacerbated by historical conflicts.

Urban Ecology and Community Resilience in Informal Settlements

The Impact of Informal Settlements on Ecology

• The area between the UNESCO site and the airport is densely populated, characterized by informal settlements that significantly damage local ecology.

• These settlements lead to severe degradation of soil and water quality, resulting in a low quality of life for residents.

Strategies for Environmental Restoration

• Analyses focus on sea waves and rising sea levels, as storms severely impact coastal buildings.

• Proposals include creating coastal defenses and regenerating heavily degraded areas affected by sewage from informal settlements.

Restoration Projects in Lebanon

Quarry Rehabilitation Efforts

• A quarry project in northern Beirut faces challenges due to high-speed traffic and dense urban development.

• A landscape-based approach aims to restore the damaged area while considering community needs for public green spaces.

Community Engagement in Landscape Design

• The project emphasizes creating parks and community spaces, addressing Beirut's lack of public open areas.

• Water collection systems are integrated into designs to support lush vegetation while also considering local fauna.

Collaborative Studio Initiatives in Gaza

Addressing Conflict through Landscape Architecture

• A collaborative studio involving multiple universities focuses on the devastated landscape of Gaza Strip as a territory in transition.

• Students explore concepts related to landscaping conflict, emphasizing community resilience amid ongoing instability.

Recognizing Community Agency

• Despite living under dire conditions, communities demonstrate agency and capacity to thrive amidst destruction.

Framework for Recovery and Reconstruction

• The course highlights how landscape professionals can contribute during conflicts, not just post-conflict recovery efforts.

• Emphasis is placed on social ecological repair—restoring connections between humans, land, and other beings using a care framework.

Ecological Devastation as a Result of Conflict

Understanding Ecoside

• Scholars agree that ecological devastation has been intentionally inflicted rather than being an incidental result of conflict.

Understanding Urban Destruction and Resilience in Conflict Zones

The Concept of Urbicide

• The discussion begins with the notion of urbicide, which refers to the deliberate destruction of urban environments, including governmental and political institutions, as well as homes. This destruction aims to isolate communities from their territories and obliterate their identities.

Impact on Community Identity

• The speaker emphasizes how the destruction of homes and cities leads to a loss of community identity. This is particularly relevant in conflict zones like the West Bank, where such experiences are common. Memories tied to places become crucial for understanding community resilience.

Domicide: A New Perspective

• Scholars have introduced the term domicide to describe the destruction of homes, which eradicates not only physical structures but also hope for future stability and continuity within communities. This concept highlights the emotional toll of losing one's home.

Addressing Displacement through Design

• The collaborative studio's objectives focus on creating resilient spaces for displaced individuals during conflicts, particularly in Gaza where movement is severely restricted. Strategies include designing functional landscapes that support food security and hygiene amidst ongoing challenges.

Healing Landscapes: Beyond Physical Recovery

• The conversation shifts towards healing landscapes, encompassing both physical recovery and social/cultural restoration post-conflict. Questions arise about managing recovery processes while ensuring social environmental equity through landscape research practices.

Water Management Challenges in Gaza

Water Scarcity Issues

• Water scarcity has been a persistent issue in Gaza, exacerbated by prolonged conflict damaging water infrastructure—termed an ecoside—which affects daily survival practices related to water access and management strategies during crises.

Innovative Water Harvesting Solutions

• Students explored temporary strategies for rainwater harvesting tailored to humanitarian needs, aiming at adapting global best practices specifically for Gaza's context while considering future reconstruction efforts based on local environmental conditions like soil type and rainfall patterns.

Food Security Amidst Conflict

Agricultural Practices During War

• Food production remains critical as famine threatens lives; discussions included examining agricultural practices before and during war times, focusing on innovative methods such as hydroponics or community gardens aimed at enhancing food security post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

Collaboration with Local Students

• Collaborative efforts with students still residing in Gaza were highlighted, emphasizing their role in identifying areas suitable for agricultural production despite ongoing challenges posed by war-related damage to public spaces essential for community settlement and agriculture alike.

Reimagining the Coastal Ecosystem of Gaza

Transformation and Erosion

• Discussion on reimagining the coast, focusing on its transformation during the war and erosion effects. Emphasis on recreating coastal ecosystems through vegetation restoration.

• Examination of the main natural feature in Gaza, a river that has been degraded due to border restrictions with Israel, leading to contamination and loss of ecological integrity.

Regeneration Efforts

• Exploration of activities contributing to environmental degradation alongside war impacts. Consideration of agricultural integration with settlements for recreational spaces along riverbanks.

• Ideas presented about transforming abandoned areas near the river into functional spaces that connect communities with nature.

Principles for Local Ownership

• Identification of five essential lessons for Gaza emphasizing local ownership, rights protection, transparency, and social reconciliation as foundational principles for regeneration efforts.

Social-Ecological Urbanism Framework

• Introduction to social ecological urbanism as a framework aimed at reconnecting human and nonhuman interdependencies. Analogy drawn between human bodies and landscapes as living organisms.

Closing Reflections

• Acknowledgment of the presentation's depth and invitation for questions. The speaker expresses hope that their message was conveyed clearly.

• Reflection on how this closing speech provided a broader perspective after a week focused on specific technical aspects related to sustainable landscape techniques.

Philosophical Insights

• Discussion on philosophical parallels between Christianity and Islam regarding interconnectedness in nature, referencing historical figures like Leon Battista Alberti.

Addressing Crisis and Instability

• Recognition of ongoing crises affecting various regions, highlighting shared experiences of uncertainty among participants in different contexts.

Engaging Remote Participants

• Inquiry about strategies for remote collaboration in projects where participants cannot visit sites directly. Suggestions sought from experienced individuals regarding effective engagement methods.

Connecting with Local Projects Remotely

Importance of Observation in Landscape Architecture

• The speaker emphasizes that effective projects stem from careful observation of the site, raising questions about how students can propose solutions for inaccessible areas.

Utilizing Technology for Community Support

• The discussion highlights the role of design professionals in aiding communities facing prolonged struggles, particularly during conflicts, leveraging technological advancements.

Desktop Analysis and Data Collection Techniques

• A desktop analysis is recommended before field visits, utilizing tools like Google Earth and historical imagery to understand physical transformations and features of a location.

• Peer-reviewed research on soil conditions, vegetation types, and climate data is crucial for informed decision-making in landscape architecture.

Engaging with Local Communities through Digital Means

• Collaboration between students from different regions (e.g., Gaza and Norway) facilitated by technology allows for participatory mapping and community engagement through questionnaires and social media.

Leveraging Social Media for Research Insights

• The speaker advocates using social media platforms to gather valuable information shared by communities, emphasizing the importance of smart technology use when physical access is limited.

Collaboration Among Participants

Encouragement to Share Information

• Participants are reminded of a dashboard available for collaboration; sharing information among teams can enhance project outcomes rather than hinder them due to competition fears.

Value of Diverse Perspectives in Design

• It’s noted that winning teams often utilize indirect sources effectively; even those with less information can succeed if they interpret data creatively.

Reflections on Foreign Contributions

Insights on Working Internationally

• The speaker invites thoughts on their experiences as foreign contributors in Lebanon and Gaza, seeking wisdom regarding their impact and potential critiques related to their presence in these regions.

Cultural Contributions and Globalization Challenges

Personal Reflections on Cultural Impact

• The speaker reflects on their frequent relocations and the impact of their cultural background on their contributions, questioning how they might unintentionally cause damage through their opinions.

• They have worked in diverse regions, including North Africa and Canada, highlighting the differences that exist even among cultures perceived as similar.

Addressing Design Challenges

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of literacy in design disciplines, focusing on how messages are represented both graphically and orally.

• They stress the need to understand local culture to provide accurate feedback and address challenges effectively.

Globalization's Influence on Culture

• The speaker discusses globalization's role in shaping modernity, noting a tendency to adopt Western languages and perspectives at the expense of local identities.

• They observe that many educators trained in Western institutions contribute to a cultural transformation that complicates identity recognition for local populations.

Identity Preservation Amidst Homogenization

• The speaker warns against cultural homogenization due to globalization, advocating for the preservation of diverse identities not as protectionism but as a means of understanding self-contribution.

• They believe diversity is essential for progress and caution against losing unique cultural elements.

Engaging with New Generations

• The discussion touches upon generational shifts influenced by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which alter cultural landscapes while limiting mobility opportunities.

• Acknowledging these changes, the speaker expresses gratitude for participation in discussions about these dynamics.

Collaborative Approaches in International Contexts

• The seminar is supported by European funding; thus, there’s an emphasis on collaboration rather than imposing solutions from outside perspectives.

• The importance of asking fundamental questions is highlighted as a way outsiders can contribute meaningfully without assuming knowledge about local contexts.

Conclusion: Embracing Inquiry Over Solutions

• As the seminar concludes, there's an acknowledgment that sometimes naive questions can lead to deeper insights into basic issues faced by communities.

• The session ends with appreciation for contributions made during discussions while recognizing ongoing dialogues around green spaces facilitated through social media.