Beyond Divisions

Architecture as a universal catalyst of social cohesion

Master thesis (2024)

Contributors

A. Snijders Architectural Technology - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
M. Bilow (mentor)
B. Groothuijse (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
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Published Date

31-10-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Culturally diverse communities often struggle with prejudice and division among the member groups. Considering the current positive trend in globalization, and thus, also migration, the cultural diversity of communities is on the rise. As a result, The World Economic Forum assessed the erosion of social cohesion to be the 4th most dangerous risk on a global scale within the next decade (WEF, 2022).

Beyond Divisions is a proposal aimed at addressing this problem. Located in Lublin (Poland), which nowadays struggles with hostility and xenophobia, the building draws from the site's past cultural diversity to bring back the social cohesion lost during the WWII era.

The universal research and symbolism of the proposal ensure the transferability of the solution to other sites that also struggle with the deterioration of social cohesion to create a community beyond divisions.