Thesis 100dpi

WHY IS THE JOURNEY IN THE
CENTER OF ATTENTION?
Hungary, for example built a fence on their border with
Serbia, preventing the refugees from entering their territory.
Australian navy was reported by Amnesty International
for ‘‘illegally forcing refugees to return to countries
where they would be in danger”, shooting at the boats.
Refugee crises have very complex roots. The triggers for
massive dislocation vary from natural disasters to those
caused directly by men, either on a regional or national
level, or as a part of greater geopolitical interest.
The causes of why people become refugees, are out of a
scope of an architect, considering previously mentioned
complexity.
Wars, persecutions, oppression and foreign interventions
for a start, which force people to leave their
homes, should be dealt with according to the international
law and are puzzles of a broader picture where
architects do not have influence. Unpredictable natural
disasters such as tsunamis, volcanic eruptions or earthquakes,
cannot be prevented by architects either.
On the other side of the refugee dislocation ‘‘equation’’
there is, however, destination, wrapped with its own
policies, cultural and ethnic complexities. The influx of
foreign citizens could be greeted with discrimination,
hostility and neglect. In some cases, the host government
and citizens would be welcoming and helpful
during the integration of refugees, but this is not guaranteed
2015 witnessed both of these cases around the world;
Meanwhile, Lebanon and Jordan hosted most of the refugees
from surrounding countries, and refugees located
there have found understanding from the local citizens.
However, the public and government in countries hit by
influx of refugees are divided and confronted in attitudes.
Germany so far has accepted 800 000 refugees
and asylum seekers, and while having a clear program
for their integration, the nation is not united in the approach
of refugees treatment. The reasons for accepting
foreign refugees could be pure ethical or practical, such
as ‘‘replacing the aging population’’ according to David
Cameron, ex Prime Minister of United Kingdom (from
the interview with Andrew Marr, September 2015).
The treatment of Destination therefore is as complex as
the starting point, including cultural or religious similarities,
government orientation (left or right), historical
relationships, etc. This is absolutely out of a scope of
architects and designers.
The missing link between starting point and destination
is Journey, which we believe, is where people are
faced with the most difficult and testing situations of
their lives. Violation of human rights and administrative
regulations are just some of the obstacles refugees face
during their Journey from destroyed countries. Journey
is however left to be dealt with by refugees alone.
55 DANGEROUS JOURNEY