Notes on 'The Battle for Home' by Marwa Al-Sabouni

Acknowledgments

• Marwa al-Sabouni expresses gratitude to individuals who contributed to her work:
  • Ghassan Jansiz (husband) - compared to soil
  • Professor Roger Scruton - likened to water
  • Lucas Dietrich (commissioning editor) - likened to light
• Thanks to Jenny Wilson (editor) for dedicated work.
• Hope for peace in Syria.
• First published in the UK in 2016 by Thames & Hudson Ltd.
• All rights reserved.

Introduction

• Syria's ongoing conflict since 2011 has brought widespread suffering and destruction.
• War papers reveal narratives favoring particular sides, but architecture reflects universal truths about human experiences.
• Architecture can indicate previous and potential future conflicts.
• The built environment has played a significant role in shaping conflicts by constraining choices and identities.
• Reflection on identity and home is relevant to other countries affected by conflicts similar to the Arab Spring.
• Emphasizes the immense losses of cultural heritage alongside human tragedy due to vandalism and destruction by groups like ISIS.
• Explains how the failure to establish a home stems from a deep loss of identity related to architectural choices.
• Highlights the separation between rich heritage and modernity as contributing to identity loss.

The Impact of Mortar Attacks

• Mortar attacks are introduced as sudden, indiscriminate death-dealing weapons.
• Initial optimism fades as civilians adapt to a reality of ongoing violence.
• The concept of urban zoning becomes pivotal, as slaughter of innocents varies territorially across Homs due to sectarian divisions.
• Homs witnesses a rapid increase in population density due to forced migrations.
• The aftermath of attacks leaves neighborhoods in ruins and significant lifestyle changes for remaining civilians, impeding daily life.
• Mortar attacks target schools and markets directly, intensifying fear among civilians.

The Role of Urban Fabric

• Describes Homs as a once peaceful city that underwent severe changes due to sectarian violence.
• Traditional communal practices rooted in architecture and urban planning enabled peaceful coexistence.
• Historical context provided: neighborhoods reflected social class and creed intermingling, creating a shared socio-cultural environment.
• The Old Souk served as an economic and social hub fostering relationships beyond commerce, emphasizing community bonds.
• Architecture's role in fostering identity and contributing to shared moral economies stressed.
• The influx of new populations contributed to social fragmentation and breakdown in communal ties.
• New construction led to loss of identity and growing sectarian divisions.

Cultural Misidentity and Modernization Problems

• Identifies a systemic loss of identity due to misguided modernization efforts leading to disconnection from traditional practices.
• Modern urban planning's role in exacerbating social tensions and sectarian divides underlines architecture's impact on society.
• Discusses urban areas becoming conflict zones as minor integrations lead to big separations, igniting civil disharmony.
• Architecture criticized for lack of aesthetic and social integration, decreasing social cohesion.
• Contrasts Homs with Damascus to highlight the dissimilarity in how communities responded to urban changes and war.
• Demands a holistic understanding of architecture's influence on society’s well-being and stability.