Rebuilding: Palestinian architecture and urban development

An online lecture series developed by the Royal Danish Academy - Institute of Architecture and Technology in collaboration with Birzeit University, the Palestinian Architects' Association, the Palestinian Engineers' Association – Jerusalem Center, and independent urbanist and writer Bhawna Jaimini. 

The series aimed to provide a deeper insight into Palestinian architecture, building traditions, and urban development in a historical and contemporary context.

In a world where the built and natural environment is threatened and destroyed by war, colonial systems, climate change, and natural disasters, it is crucial to understand the places and cultures that need to be rebuilt - and the people who live there. This series of seminars focused on precisely that: What does it mean to rebuild in a Palestinian context? And what role does architecture play in preserving identity, creating resilience, and supporting communities in the midst of destruction?

The seminars featured Palestinian researchers, practitioners, and architects who spoke about Palestine's architectural history, colonial urbanism, destruction and revitalization, as well as local building methods and materials. Through concrete examples from Nablus, Hebron, Jaffa, and Gaza, among other places, participants were invited to reflect on how architecture is both affected by - and can respond to - crisis and conflict.

There was also discussion of how traditional building practices and local materials can be incorporated into sustainable strategies for reconstruction in war zones, and how international experiences and practices can come together in solidarity-based and equal partnerships. 

The three-part seminar series was developed and facilitated by the Royal Danish Academy in collaboration with Bhawna Jaimini, Birzeit University, the Palestinian Architects’ Association, and the Engineers’ Association – Jerusalem Center.

Contributors and collaborators included: Bhawna Jaimini, Abdalrahman Kittana, Nadi Abu Sa’adeh, Nurhan Abujidi, Faiq Mari, Alessandra Gola, Nadia Habash