The boundaries, limits and thresholds we have generated in our social reality are becoming obsolete in the face of ecological metamorphosis (Latour, 2018). The migration of human bodies has been central in the recent socio-political discourse. However another migration, inherently bound to the human body, is happening. As we focused more and more on the abstraction of land through territorial exploitation and ownership laws, we became blind to the reality of ground, and are only now realizing the transformation unraveling underneath our constructed realities. The displacement (Povinelli, 2011) and movement of habitats are generating territories of depletion, where bodies face a new form of existence, one that can not take the floor for granted.
The aim of this project is to understand the changing relationship between humans and non-human bodies (habitats, other species). The research looks at productive grounds, particularly water ecologies. I investigated how the ecological crisis is forcing bodies to change and move by looking at the transformations in water ecologies in the Thermaikos Gulf of Thessaloniki. Based on the research, the design project proposes new ways of occupying and coexisting with the ground and non-human bodies.
>> The unfolding reveals a critical shift of the gaze from one centered on the city to one focusing more on the peripheral borders that are fundamental to the urban continuity.
The Borders and Territories Graduation studio is divided into two semesters: one semester of research, beginning with group research, followed by a semester dedicated to developing a design proposal that aligns with the individual research direction. Before I introduce my own research and design project, I will briefly go into the initial group research and studies on the context, Thessaloniki.
Introduction to group research
Thessaloniki demonstrates a sprawling case study for the diverse domains of contemporary life. In the face of complete economic integration, the city’s roles, images, and relationships extend far beyond its administrative boundaries. The context presents a myriad of urban dynamics such as the redefinition of economic sectors, spatial politics, population displacement, and resource management. The morphing values of modern agglomeration intersect with the rich history of many cultures, ethnicities, languages, and roles. In our collective research, we examine these modern and historical forces that have shaped Thessaloniki through the lens of border and territorial conditions. Our research into the transient nature of the city led us to the key themes of ‘Ecologies’ and ‘Control’ which were then explored through cartographic investigations.
Thessaloniki demonstrates a sprawling case study for the diverse domains of contemporary life. In the face of complete economic integration, the city’s roles, images, and relationships extend far beyond its administrative boundaries. The context presents a myriad of urban dynamics such as the redefinition of economic sectors, spatial politics, population displacement, and resource management. The morphing values of modern agglomeration intersect with the rich history of many cultures, ethnicities, languages, and roles. In our collective research, we examine these modern and historical forces that have shaped Thessaloniki through the lens of border and territorial conditions. Our research into the transient nature of the city led us to the key themes of ‘Ecologies’ and ‘Control’ which were then explored through cartographic investigations.
Shifting the gaze (Borders Map)
By placing the central gaze on water ecologies, the Borders map reveals the infrastructural, socio-economic and natural systems that construct and support the territories of Thessaloniki. The importance of the Delta ecosystem and areas of transition are brought into relevancy for observing the coastline’s shifting pressures and underlying forces, creating a different and new visual storyline. Through weekly iterative reflections on the mapping, we systematically developed a critical analysis of the intentions and tectonics of the method. The final version of the unfolding reflects the fragmentation of the coastline as the slices produce an aggregation that is inherent to the multiplicities of an assemblage.
By placing the central gaze on water ecologies, the Borders map reveals the infrastructural, socio-economic and natural systems that construct and support the territories of Thessaloniki. The importance of the Delta ecosystem and areas of transition are brought into relevancy for observing the coastline’s shifting pressures and underlying forces, creating a different and new visual storyline. Through weekly iterative reflections on the mapping, we systematically developed a critical analysis of the intentions and tectonics of the method. The final version of the unfolding reflects the fragmentation of the coastline as the slices produce an aggregation that is inherent to the multiplicities of an assemblage.
Unfolding the coastline
With the main focus on several land/water relationships along the coastline, the methodology of unfolding became a process of trial & error to reveal the discontinuities between various parts of Thessaloniki. The equal width of the rectangular cut shape provides equal attention to each part of the coastline. Varying lengths and positions on the relation land/water allow putting the emphasis on important aspects of the map. With that method, mapping became a series of iterations to find a balance between the seen and unseen.
With the main focus on several land/water relationships along the coastline, the methodology of unfolding became a process of trial & error to reveal the discontinuities between various parts of Thessaloniki. The equal width of the rectangular cut shape provides equal attention to each part of the coastline. Varying lengths and positions on the relation land/water allow putting the emphasis on important aspects of the map. With that method, mapping became a series of iterations to find a balance between the seen and unseen.
The transitioning territory
In the past 50 years the Thermaikos Gulf has been facing an intensification of ecological metamorphosis, which produced, and is producing, waves of displacement. Although planetary transformations operate on a larger geological time frame, recent years have particularly exhibited an intensification of the change, understood through certain events. One of the most critical events is the extreme pollution of the Thermaikos Gulf, as a result of poor industrial waste management, capital-driven agricultural practices and unregulated fishing activities (Poulos, 2000; Newsroom, 2021). However the recent ecological intensities have drawn attention to another type of movement, that of the habitat. In the mid-1900s the Thermaikos Gulf was recognized for its abundant marine life and correlating fishermen villages and aquaculture industry, which supported hundreds of families who had been forced to leave Asia Minor (Kalamaria, 2021). So the past, present and future narrative of the gulf is one of displacement. Once a thriving fishing community, the gulf now only has remains of aquaculture surviving mostly in the southern part. However the traces of practices and operations can be seen throughout the coastline in the form of shipyards, fishermen cabins, huts that form communities and small-scale markets in every settlement (Field research). The Thermaikos Gulf demonstrates the inherent conflict between the market-driven socio-economic order and the value assigned to bodies, territories and material entities.
In the past 50 years the Thermaikos Gulf has been facing an intensification of ecological metamorphosis, which produced, and is producing, waves of displacement. Although planetary transformations operate on a larger geological time frame, recent years have particularly exhibited an intensification of the change, understood through certain events. One of the most critical events is the extreme pollution of the Thermaikos Gulf, as a result of poor industrial waste management, capital-driven agricultural practices and unregulated fishing activities (Poulos, 2000; Newsroom, 2021). However the recent ecological intensities have drawn attention to another type of movement, that of the habitat. In the mid-1900s the Thermaikos Gulf was recognized for its abundant marine life and correlating fishermen villages and aquaculture industry, which supported hundreds of families who had been forced to leave Asia Minor (Kalamaria, 2021). So the past, present and future narrative of the gulf is one of displacement. Once a thriving fishing community, the gulf now only has remains of aquaculture surviving mostly in the southern part. However the traces of practices and operations can be seen throughout the coastline in the form of shipyards, fishermen cabins, huts that form communities and small-scale markets in every settlement (Field research). The Thermaikos Gulf demonstrates the inherent conflict between the market-driven socio-economic order and the value assigned to bodies, territories and material entities.
>> Aquacultural production presents a metabolic system that’s dependent on actors, habitats and socio-political structures. When looking at the context through these particular lenses, two conditions stand out that are central to fishing ecologies: metamorphosis and fragility.
Metamorphosis
Society and individuals mostly construct their realities based on momentary occurrences. Therefore the system we live in now operates on a very narrow view, not incorporating what came before and what might come after. These experiments aimed to introduce a different time lens, one that embraces the cyclical nature of the ground. Deconstruction of productive elements in the water eventually leads to the reconstruction of other productivities, but because our order defines productivity in a very narrow way, anything that changes that definition becomes decay.
Society and individuals mostly construct their realities based on momentary occurrences. Therefore the system we live in now operates on a very narrow view, not incorporating what came before and what might come after. These experiments aimed to introduce a different time lens, one that embraces the cyclical nature of the ground. Deconstruction of productive elements in the water eventually leads to the reconstruction of other productivities, but because our order defines productivity in a very narrow way, anything that changes that definition becomes decay.
Fragility
Fragility of the ground is also something to consider when researching aquaculture practices. The model here depicts the structure of a fish farm operation. Fish farms create synthetic environments in the water for maximum efficiency and rapid fish growth. They maintain a particular balance of chemicals to ensure this. Once they have polluted the larger body of water too much, they abandon the operation and move to another site. This contained relationship with the floor fails to understand the balance that exist below ground, ignoring the animate and inanimate dynamics that generate value.
Fragility of the ground is also something to consider when researching aquaculture practices. The model here depicts the structure of a fish farm operation. Fish farms create synthetic environments in the water for maximum efficiency and rapid fish growth. They maintain a particular balance of chemicals to ensure this. Once they have polluted the larger body of water too much, they abandon the operation and move to another site. This contained relationship with the floor fails to understand the balance that exist below ground, ignoring the animate and inanimate dynamics that generate value.
