ISLAND TO INLAND
The project is an attempt to prototype permanent migration under the effects of global environmental issues. The objective is to addresses socio-cultural confluences and develops a vibrant and dynamic framework which would facilitate large scale migration.
LOCATION
Australia
ARCHITECT
Shriyak Singh
YEAR
2019 / Academic
PROGRAM
Urban
SCALE
N/A
The island country of Maldives, the first country to go carbon neutral in 2007, would be one of the first, and the most populated country to lose their land to water due to global warming by 2050. It is an inevitable future condition of a country of 350,000 people. Even zero carbon emissions globally from this day forwards cannot avoid this occurrence.
Migration is a very pressing global phenomenon. It is complicated and treacherous. Both for the migrant and host communities. Social unrest and divide have ensued in many regions across the world. Otherwise, the migrant community is shunned in temporary refugee camps, where there is absolutely no semblance of a civilized life; of permanence. Maybe they are technically temporary, because the migrants very often do have a homeland to go back to. However, in case of Maldives and other such island nations, the personal connotation attached to their migration is Permanence. The affect of this context will reflect very profoundly on the host community as well. There will always be a very significant confluence of cultures in such situations.
This project tires to address this confluence and develop a vibrant and dynamic framework which would facilitate this process. It looks at situation from the perspective of the migrants and well as the host community. The project is divided into three distinct directions of thought and approach. First is the ability to be granular and multipliable. It addresses the need to be flexible and applicable in myriad of sites, contexts, and requirements. Second is the idea of integration of the two contrasting communities. It focuses on the activities and functions which can bring the communities at the same place and enable them to explore the positives in each other, so that the relationship is symbiotic. Thirdly, it tries to revitalize Australian neighborhoods. Inducing activity, and life within these neighborhoods. To achieve such a comprehensive plan, the project dealt with multiple scales and truly moves from macro to micro level. It starts with a strategic plan for the migration, followed by the urban plan as to where to provide these infills and then looking at the fabric around the site in detail to propose revitalization.
Maldives is an archipelago of over 1800 inhabited islands. Hence, contemporary solutions like erecting barrages or dams is infeasible. Migration is the only solution in the present scenario. The Maldivian government recognizes it and hence has been involved in diplomatic dialog with countries which can provide refuge at such a large scale. These talks have been very unsuccessful so far. However, the dialog with Australia is still in the pipeline. This is the premise for the choice of location for the project. Nonetheless, Australia's marine tourism industry, acceptance towards migrant communities and climate are also important reasons behind the rationale.
