Life Within The Wall

In places where a physical separation wall divides communities that once lived within a shared space and whose daily activities were all communal, it profoundly impacts daily life, shaping movement, access, and economic opportunities. This physical form of conflict, while often seen as a tool of division, can instead be leveraged for revolutionary planning.

This project examines the potential of Residual Border Zones—specifically between Nazlat Issa and Baqa al-Gharbiya—as dynamic buffer spaces rather than areas of exclusion. By proposing public stations as points of interaction, the project seeks to reconnect fragmented urban landscapes through economic, cultural, and infrastructural nodes, fostering cross-border exchange. This approach aims to address issues such as economic stagnation, infrastructural decay, and environmental degradation.

The case of families separated by the barrier highlights the significant challenges posed by movement restrictions and limited access to essential services. These border zones, situated at the heart of ongoing disputes, function as a natural laboratory for testing new urban strategies. Public space is central to this agenda, with the project proposing a new economic model for small-scale urban development that directly benefits the communities living in these contested areas. By placing the station directly on the border, it redefines its role—not as a point of division but as a shared urban resource.

How can transforming border areas into mediated spaces with public stations foster spatial, economic, and urban growth on both sides of the border?