critical salvation of history

arch 562_propositions studio ——— winter 2021 professor el-hadi jazairy in collaboration with joy zhou

The Caribbean sea is slowly overtaking Cartagena, Colombia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. The sea-level has risen over 60cm in the last two decades and continues to gradually rise as time goes on. Soon, Cartagena will be immersed within the ocean. Action must be taken soon in order to preserve the rich culture and heritage that lies within Cartagena’s streets and façades.

Through questioning what is heritage and what is necessary to preserve through a democratic selection (Koolhass, OMA) - a new urban timeline is implemented as a method of investigating different methodologies of preservation while adapting radical architectural solutions.

Inspired by Jorge Otero-Pailos’ experimental preservation, methods of replication are utilized within the construction of the new city of Cartagena through replicating cultural specific archetypes in order to carry on the legacy and heritage that makes up Cartagena’s historically rich urban landscape and universal value.

◄◄ The sea level is increasingly rising and soon will overtake the streets of Cartagena. The clock tower located in the city center has been around for over 400 years serving as one of the cities top historical landmarks

◄ In order to preserve the rich culture and heritage that has grown into the roots of the city, poulder systems are put into place to act as a temporary solution to flooding as the planning and development of the critical salvation awaits

▼ As Cartagena is slowly diminishing, recollections of the cities victories and triumphs are remembered- the cities formation in 1601, palenqueras escaping Spanish slavery as the first free town of the New World in 1691 and notably, claiming independence from the Spanish in 1811 AYA CHEHADEH // 2022 PORTFOLIO

▲ As a decade goes by, the sea quickly overtakes the poulder system and climate emergency alarms are blaring louder and louder. Rem Koolhaas’ quote “preservation is no longer a retroactive activity, but becomes a prospective activity” sparks motivation towards developing a radical grid system that preserves all elements based on a fair, yet democratic selection. The “1000-year planning of Cartagena” comes to life. Zones are declared to be salvaged through a 100m grid system that is put into place to preserve some of Cartagena’s most notable and historically significant monuments

◄ The final phase of the 1000 year plan has come to an end and we mark the culmination of the New City of Cartagena 10 centuries later. Replicates of once nearby buildings begin to emerge alongside the clock towers new façade. Tourists and locals make their way down to the underwater museums for a glimpse into the rich history and culture that Cartagena was built upon

▲ The New City of Cartagena is celebrated by all. The national bird of Colombia, the Andean Condor, shields the new city and represents the glories of the nation as the largest flying bird in the world. In honor of the courage and devotion that took place for the salvation of Cartagena’s culture and history, an orchid shall thrive for all those that have sacrificed to preserve the cities memory