Contingency City
The October 2023 events led to the evacuation of thousands of Israelis from their homes, with no defined return time. The common term in Israeli discourse is “displaced,” while the international term for someone who has left their home during a war and remained in their country is “internally displaced person” (IDP). According to the latest Central Bureau of Statistics data, there are 135,000 people in Israel who fit this definition. The state provides a response to the immediate needs, but the ongoing crisis requires more comprehensive aid. Civil society has stepped into this gap. The research follows the spatial manifestations of this phenomenon.
Globally, there are 75.9 million IDPs as of the end of 2023. This staggering number underscores the critical need for innovative solutions to address the complexity of displacement and build resilience. The research project asks: How can we prepare for emergencies through flexible and adaptive urban planning?
The project proposes a framework for coping with displacement by transforming urban environments into “hosting” environments which provide a multi-dimensional support system in times of emergency. The hosting city is not only a passive background for emergency situations, but an active, adapting, and inclusive participant in fostering resilience and solidarity. The Shapira neighborhood in Tel Aviv serves as a test case for this approach, thanks to its combination of urban renewal projects, diverse demographics, and relatively low density. These data constitute fertile ground for implementing and evaluating innovative mechanisms.
The project strives to turn urban spaces into adaptable and supportive environments by weaving together principles of architectural flexibility, community empowerment, and economic incentives. The goal is to develop an urban model that addresses the immediate challenges of emergencies and improves the overall quality of life of the city’s residents – an opportunity to turn cities into more sustainable, equitable, and resilient ones in the face of future challenges.
