DEFINING BORDERS AN INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE EGYPT/ISRAEL BORDER
egypt
cultural differences The relationship between Egypt and Israel is shaped primarily by the nature of the two’s cultural ideaologies: one a democratic state influenced from Western politics and cultural norms, and the other an Arab-Muslim society fraught with civil unrest and the recent collapse of an authoritarian regime. It has widely been agreed that the cultural divide between Egypt and Israel does not stop at the difference of language and religion, rather it is one deeply rooted in their drastically different historical and social differences. Fundamentally, Egyptian society is the product of a history of group-oriented village communities, whereas Israel is in favor of individualism and is composed of immigrants from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
israel
The location of the border crossing station wedges and channels the flow of traffic and the surrounding circulatory movement.
a site shaped by boundaries
diagrammatic site analysis & visualization of conditions
political history Throughout the forst three decades of Israel’s existence, Egypt was its ultimate archenemy. Fueled mostly by land use and ideaology disputes, the conflict that arose between the two countries was relentlessly brutal. When a peace agreement was finally reached in 1977, the alliance between the two nations was considered by many to be a “cold peace�, the agreement having more to do with Egyptian national interests as opposed to a shift in sympathy or ideaology. The Egyptian government has done little to change the view towards Israel in the public eye, and has amassed the fruits of the peace agreement such as aid from the United States, while largely considering their alliance with Israel to be a burden and is not something considered worth celebrating. In lieu of the political unrest in Egypt and its neighbors during recent years, the diplomatic tie between Israel and Egypt has been worn thinner and thinner.
attacks & terrorism in taba While largely free from violence and attack in recent years, Taba has been the victim of a number of terrorist attacks. In 2004, an al-Quaeda-linked suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle through a glass wall of the Taba Hilton lobby, killing 30 tourists (mostly Israeli) and injuring over 100. Egypt and Israel had been targeted before, in the 1990s, after their peace treaty was signed.
The Judgement of the Dead in the Presence of Osiris Thebes, Egypt 19th Dynasty, around 1275 BC
Collage Tablet Magazine, 1901 illustration
cultural chasm
cultural and political issues in news media
difficulty in cultural representation Portrayal of the issues between Israel and Egypt, as well as those concerning each country individually, are difiicult to adequately represent in American news media due to the inherent level of cultural incomprehension that lies in understanding the social and cultural roots of a country which developed entirely separate from our own. While journalists and reporters in Egypt do their best to overcome the cultural barrier to better understand and report an accurate representation of Egyptian society, it is naturally easier to understand the foundations and complexities of the Israeli government as it more closely compares to the US’s democracy.
architectural representation Local architecture in the area is currently grappling with the homogenized styles which coincide with an age of globalization. Egypt, along with many other Arab countries, has been subject to the rapid construction of buildings with designs foreign to their own. A clash of traditional values and imported ideas is evident in much of the large-scale modern architectural projects and must be acknowledged and prevented through a more complete framework of understanding.
1600
1880
2013
The Ottoman Empire, established in the 1300s in what is now Turkey, held control of the land now known as Egypt and Israel.
The conquests of European countries significantly weakened the Ottoman Empire. The current Egypt-Israel border was established.
The current internationally recognized boundaries of the Middle East region. Dotted borders are currently disputed
Memorial Wall to Commemorate the Reclaimation of Taba
Proposals for the First Sinai Border, 1906
a much-disputed border a history of the egyptian-israeli border
the first border The border with Egypt is the international border drawn in 1906 between Britain and the Ottoman Empire. The line was set by the British, whose intention to make it as difficult as possible for the Ottomans to access the Suez canal helped to preserve Britan’s control over both of the Red Sea gulfs. Additionally, they intended to make it as short and easily patrollable.
peace & compromise The peace agreement between Israel and Egypt includes the removal of barriers to trade and freedom of movement, and withdrawal by Israel from the Sinai peninsula, with agreed security arrangements and limited force zones. Israel completed its withdrawal from the Sinai in 1982 according to the terms of the treaty, giving up strategic militaxry bases and other assets in exchange for peace. The location of the border, isolated at its center within a large desert, was difficult to secure during times of unrest. As a result of the peace accord, the security measures along the border were slightly loosened.
territorial dispute Taba itself was disputed territory until March 1989, at which time it was determined that the public beach, Rafi Nelson’s village and the Sonesta Hotel, previously demarcated as Isreali territory, would be handed over to the Egyptians.
taba border terminal history
a history of the only tourist-accessible land border between Africa and Asia
taba’s reputation
march 1989
A resort town on the coast of the Red Sea, Taba is strategically The Taba Terminal was opened for passage on April 26, 1982, one day located near the borders of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. after the withdrawal from Sinai. The terminal initially consisted of a tent, but The city doesn’t contain much but the resorts, only a number of shops later caravans and sheds were added. In September 1995, when the current and restaurants. It is known to a larger audience as much more than its terminal was constructed at a cost of $3 million. The arbitration decision function as a resort town, as its history as a disputed and cherished resulted in increased passenger traffic through the terminal, since now visitors seaside location far overshadows its travel-destination association. to the Taba resorts must pass through the terminal.
baksheesh
1999
A gratuity, tip, or bribe paid to expedite service, common in some Near Traffic through the terminal reached a record number of 1,038,828 passengers Eastern countries, has been reported to be regularly asked of travelers and 89,422 vehicles. at the Egyptian terminal.
Adjacency Diagram and Possible Programmatic Layout
programmatic analysis
adjacencies based on reauirements of scale, site and security
drive-through checkpoints MAIN SPACES
SUPPORT SPACES
EXTERIOR SPACES
CARE TAKER RESIDENCE CIRCULATION TOTAL
PROGRAM CUSTOMS HALL PEDESTRIAN QUEUE VEHICLE QUEUE CUSTOMS COUNTER CUSTOMS OFFICE OFFICES HOLDING CELL DOG KENNEL PUBLIC RESTROOM OFFICE RESTROOM LABORATORY GENERAL STORAGE DATA PROCESSING DROP OFF ENTRY AREA PARKING LOT IMPOUND LOT CARETAKER RESIDENCE CARETAKER RESTROOM
Majority of the passengers passing through the Taba Border do so by vehicle. Most tourists travel by tour bus, while some travel by foot. The border control station must function for both large crowds of people on foot and in a vehicle.
2
AREA (ft ) 3,500 - 4000 _ _ 500 - 1,000 100 - 200 100 - 150 40 - 50 1,500 - 2,000 200 - 300 80 - 100 350 - 500 500 - 1,000 1,000 - 1500 _ 5,000 - 5,500 2,000 - 2,500 400 - 600 100 - 120
customs services and passport control Proper faculties that can check passports and peoples belonging. Making sure that people do not bring in dangerous or illegal items. They also check that people have valid paperwork needed for entering into another country or in this case onto another continent.
banking services Fees are required to pass through the border control station. An area where people can take out money to pay these fees is therefore important.
cafeteria
10% 22,000 - 24,000
The process of traveling through customs can take up to several hours depending on the crowds. Therefore a place to eat would be an important part of the program. As well as providing a means of revenue for the border station.
parking areas Parking for those staying at the resorts. There would also be a need to have parking for those walking across for the day. Ample parking for the people who work at the border station is also important.
programmatic analysis
adjacencies based on reauirements of scale, site and security
passenger halls Halls where passengers who are traveling over the border can wait in. Having air conditioning is important in such a hot climate, as well as providing shade where the people traveling are covered from the sun.
holding areas For suspicious people and people that require further questioning. Areas for people that might be a danger to themselves or to others.
Represents the path of travel for those attempting to cross the border. There is a visible pinch where processing occurs between the two customs halls.
drainage Water resources are limited and are restricted to torrent storms which occur randomly in place and time.
drainage
rainfall Precipitation occurs mostly in winter and may occur as snow on the high peaks of the mountains to the north of the site. The Only rare and heavy showers cause floods, which contribute effective moisture for vegetation.
vegetation Drought resistant vegetation or typical desert plants (xerophytes) occur scattered along the coastal strip and in valleys. Vegetation in the immediate site includes palm trees, flowers and other low-lying shrubs, most of which have been manually planted and landscaped
texture
climate & geography
the sinai peninsula’s hot, arid climite and its site implications
site typology While the town of Taba is situated on level terrain adjacent to the Red Sea, the surroundings are steep and mountainous, at times the vertical faces nearly become cliffs.
climate Hot and dry. The mean temperature of the coldest month is 10 to 20°C and 20 to 30°C for the warmest month.
soil conditions Damage to soil surface and vegetation in arid lands is not easily repaired. Environmental deterioration in arid ecosystems due to unmanaged human activities including harvesting of vegetation for fuel and medicine, overgrazing, urbanization and quarrying is evident in a decrease of plant cover, and deterioration of soil productivity, and aggravating of soil erosion. The increased concern about the development of South Sinai reflects the importance of its natural resources assessment to improve the ability to manage the sustainability of these resources. Soils are light or yellowish brown in color, gravelly in the plains, having rocky surface at mountains, and sandy to loamy sand in texture. There is a low content of silt, and most nutrients in the soil of the site.
“I look upon the morphology of Arab villages with envy. The beauty of the arab village lies in its accumulative and somewhat irrational nature . . . it is always better than when an architect comes in, the architect only spoils things because the architect has to work logically, and they do not . . “ - Barbara E. Mann, Space and Place in Jewish Studies
surrounding architecture the typology of buildings in egypt and israel
traditional egyptian architecture Due to the extreme climate and complex cultural history, Egypt has developed a number of defining elements in the design of their buildings. In the adgacent plan diagram, the entry (1) creates privacy by directing those who enter around a 90 degree turn in order to access the adjacent rooms. Open spaces were used during the night when the temperature had dropped, while enclosed, covered rooms were used during the day in order to avoid the heat and sunlight. The limits of a building’s dimensions often extend were often blurred through the use of overhanging awnings and covered exterior areas. Screening wooden elements are often used as a window shading technique, and are called masharabiya.
traditional israeli architecture Israel’s short history influenced the design of their buildings , and was largely shaped by the emergence of the socialist housing-block typology of Europe which progressed throughout that time. The architecture of the country was built quickly to accomodate the rapid growth of the nation’s population, and often was used as a military tactic in the land war with the Palestinians. The precedent set was a mixed one, as Israeli architects also derived inspiration from the traditional jewish architecture of the region. Buildings since the 1950s in Israel have caught themselves between imitation of the arab vernacular and a strict, modernist diversion from this tradition.
focal
movement
Sight lines are restricted by the steep mountainside to the north of the site, restricting views as one rounds the bend and crosses the border.
The station is juxtaposed between the mountainous terrain and the Red Sea. Movement across the border occurs along Newabba road.
closure
pinch
The site of the border crossing allows it to be easily secured and monitored. Fences also ensure the closure of the surrounding area.
The location of the border crossing station wedges and channels the flow of traffic and the surrounding circulatory movement.
a site shaped by boundaries
diagrammatic site analysis & visualization of conditions
existing modes of access to the terminal By taxi from Eilat Egged bus 15 - from the Eilat Central Bus Station Tourist Companies buses
existing modes of transportation through the terminal activity
convergence
On foot In a private vehicle via drive-through stations. In a rented vehicle, to the Taba area only By bus, to the Taba area only. By bicycle / motorcycle.
violence unrest Political insecurity, civilian-led protests and ongoing violence continue throughout Israel and Egypt.
With a rise of violence in Egypt’s Sinai desert, Israel began accelerating fortification of its southern border with a five-metre-high fence
wind
congestion
Wind is channeled south under normal conditions, but is blocked on the immediate site by the tall mountain range to the north.
The channeled flow of traffic and the wait which most travelers undergo contribute to a congestive nature of the site.
a site shaped by boundaries
diagrammatic site analysis & visualization of conditions
tension The carefully monitored movement of people across the border is a direct effect of the socio-political tensions of the surrounding countries.
duality The border terminals of each respective country fall on the opposite side of the country’s border in order to maintain security.
shear The nature of the site lends itself to a pushpull relationship along the axis of the roadway..
precedent studies built and unbuilt
a transportation border zone, jerusalem This diploma project by a team of graduate students suggests a slution for the border crossing between Israel and Palestine within Jerusalem that is suitable to various political scenarios. A connection of the two terminals provides an opportunity for shared infrastructure and suggests a future in which the two sides are blended into one.
architactics exhibition by SAYA, tel aviv Developed by the firm SAYA Design For Change, this exhibition promotes the role of architecture and urban planning in facilitating political agreements and shared common spaces, due to the nature of most disputes in the area being of territorial nature. The firm forsees architecture reclaiming its position in the subject of conflict resolution. The exhibition serves as an example of the ways in which architects can shape decisions regarding space and seeks to assist decision makers and politicians to “think as architects�.
precedent studies built and unbuilt
no man’s land by phu hoang office, jordan/israel This sceme features a series of artificial islands that would provide recreation, clean energy and potable water in an area with little access to fresh water. Located in the no man’s land between Jordan and Israel on the Dead Sea, this project is an innovative solution to an interdisciplinary problem and serves as an example of the integration of various sustainable and humanitarian solutions to regional issue.
point roberts border facility by miller/hull, washington, USA The process of design required these architects to determine how to best represent the character of the Pacific Northwest. The soaring canopy suggest a bridge-like nature between the US and Canada,, and alludes to the strong alliance between the two.
“A Transportation Border-Zone, Jerusalem | Diploma Project, 2004.” SAYA. http://www.sayarch.com/atransportation-border-zone-jerusalem-diploma-project-2004/668/ (accessed February 3, 2014). “Border Crossing Architecture.” Build Blog RSS. http://blog.buildllc.com/2007/11/border-crossingarchitecture/ (accessed February 3, 2014).
works cited
“Dramatizing sovereignty: the construction of territorial dispute in the Israeli–Egyptian border at Taba.” Dramatizing sovereignty: the construction of territorial dispute in the Israeli–Egyptian border at Taba. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962629899000785 (accessed February 3, 2014). “Egypt-Israel Taba dispute.” Menas Associates: Menas Borders > our case studies > Egypt-Israel. http://www.menasborders.com/menasborders/egypt-israel.aspx (accessed February 3, 2014). PBS. “Global Connections.” PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/maps/pol.html (accessed February 3, 2014). “Information Sharing at National Borders: Extending the Utility of Border Theory .” Information Sharing at National Borders: Extending the Utility of Border Theory . http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/ journals/hicss_2009_borders/hicss_2009_borders.pdf (accessed February 3, 2014). “Join Academia.edu & Share your research with the world.” Traditional architecture in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt: space, form and building systems. http://www.academia.edu/480202/Traditional_ architecture_in_the_Dakhleh_Oasis_Egypt_space_form_and_building_systems (accessed February 3, 2014). “NO MAN’S LAND: Innovative Watertecture in the Dead Sea | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building.” Inhabitat Sustainable Design Innovation Eco Architecture Green Building NO MANS LAND Innovative Watertecture in the Dead Sea Comments. http://inhabitat. com/no-mans-land-innovative-architecture-in-the-dead-sea/ (accessed February 3, 2014). Olson, Sherri. Miller/Hull: architects of the Pacific Northwest. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2001. “Picasa Web Albums - Wendy Grace Allen - Helen’s Portf....” RSS Album. https://picasaweb.google. com/116432256233457884838/HelenSPortfolio#5297543742741762450 (accessed February 3, 2014). “Taba - Taba Home Page.” Taba - Taba Home Page. http://www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Borders/ Taba/ (accessed February 3, 2014). “The Border Regime for Jerusalem in Peace.” SAYA. http://www.sayarch.com/the-border-regime-forjerusalem-in-peace/389/ (accessed February 3, 2014). “The architecture of Ariel Sharon.” - Opinion. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/01/ architecture-ariel-sharon-2014111141710308855.html (accessed February 3, 2014). Warburg, Gabriel. “Journal of Contemporary History .” JSTOR. http://www.jstor.org/
Team Members: Meghan Ford Eva Gjoncari Patrick Lolli Veronica Magner Lorianne Nicoladse Christopher Piasecki Cameron Swengel Billy Wong
Design VI for Architecture Spring 2014 Philadelphia University