Post-Traumatic Urbanism

Abstract: The term post-traumatic urbanism is addressed as the main subject of this essay, term commonly discussed in the context of various conflicts and disasters (natural or man-made). I propose as the main objective to reflect on this concept and its possible contributions as a tool for analyzing the process of recovery and resilience of cities in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding the methodology, a critical and not extensive bibliographic review was used. It is selective with two main authors: the architect and researcher Adrian Lahoud who discusses the concept of the effect of trauma in urban planning and, later, the contributions of the French philosopher and sociologist, Edgar Morin, on the subject of virtuous circularity. The central points of the reflection suggest to avoid proposing a solution or an urban project in a generic way to all cities worldwide, in the post-pandemic context. The results indicate, that despite the patterns identified as common reactions to traumatic events, it is important to promote an improved evolution of urban dynamics, far from returning to the same pre-trauma state. As final conclusions, it is highlighted the importance of the specificities of each case study when evaluating the resilience of each urban location. In times of change and extreme situations, as with COVID-19, uncertainty has to catapult research that supports decision-making and with new study niches that provide knowledge to the various urban actors.

Resumen: Como tema central se aborda el término de urbanismo postraumático que comúnmente se discute en el marco de diversos conflictos y desastres (naturales o antrópicos). Propongo como objetivo principal reflexionar sobre este concepto y sus posibles aportes como herramienta de análisis del proceso de recuperación y resiliencia de las ciudades frente a la pandemia mundial COVID-19. En cuanto a la metodología, se acudió a una revisión bibliográfica crítica y no extensa. Es selectiva con dos autores principales: el arquitecto e investigador Adrian Lahoud que discute el concepto del efecto del trauma en la planificación urbana y, posteriormente, los aportes del filósofo y sociólogo francés, Edgar Morin, en el tema de la circularidad virtuosa. Los puntos centrales de la reflexión sugieren evitar aplicar una solución o un proyecto urbano propuesto de forma genérica a todas las ciudades a nivel mundial, en el contexto post pandemia. Los resultados indican que, a pesar de los patrones identificados como reacciones comunes a eventos traumáticos, es importante promover una evolución mejorada de las articulaciones urbanas, lejos de regresar a un mismo estado pre-trauma. A manera de reflexiones finales, se analizan las especificidades de los casos de estudio a la hora de evaluar la resiliencia de cada emplazamiento urbano. En momentos de cambio y situaciones extremas, como con el COVID-19, la incertidumbre tiene que catapultar la investigación que respalde la toma de decisiones y con nuevos nichos de estudio que aporten conocimiento a los diversos actores urbanos.

Lisbon suffers from a phantom limb syndrome, the mismatch between its mythical image as the shining capital of an ultramarine empire, and the reality of its peripheral and economically precarious body. For long time this nurtured the city’s proverbial saudade and propelled a delusional desire to recover its amputated centrality, which today unfolds in a frantic attempt to attract tourism, investments, and speculation. Inspired by my ethnographic perambulations, Kader Attia’s and Walter Benjamin’s work, and a black-and-white image, this text wanders through the phantasmatic debris that invisibly populate Lisbon’s urban fabric, by looking at the history, materiality and desires shaping its eastern riverfront, a post-industrial landscape that is currently being rebranded as an international hub of innovation and creativity.