Marina Hadjilouca

This practice-led research investigates methods for social engagement, informed by the field of performance design, that will enable designers to act as triggers, within contested public spaces of the south walled city of Nicosia, Cyprus. Through this research, I propose the new term ‘active co-existence’ as a way of combining conceptions of agonism and ‘the political’ (C. Mouffe, 2004 ; 2006) thus enabling the use of a concept that lies between the civil and the political. The research  focuses on the democratic engagement of the actors within the urban environment. The definition ‘active co-existence’ is supported by reference to Ezio Manzini’s conceptions on social innovation and his use of the term ‘trigger’.

The scholarly research will analyse the current practice in, and discourse on, socially engaged design in the Cypriot context. It will draw from the study of Tonkiss’ writings on social life and public spaces, and Graffikin’s analysis on contested cities. The contested space of the walled city of Nicosia will be examined through its historical context and its impact on the current developments that the city is undergoing. Three comparable case studies of contested public spaces (Phaneromeni Square, Lidinis Street, Municipal Market) in the south walled city of Nicosia will be examined, as this enquiry is using practice as a main medium throughout the process of the examination and the development of its outcomes. The three contested public spaces share certain characteristics; all three public spaces have been affected by the Cypriot ethno-national conflict, are undergoing gentrification and are being faced with the fear of privatisation. 

Throughout this research project and its practice I follow iterative steps (Smith et al. 2009) and the method of triangulation (T.D. Jick, 1979). Through the analysis of extensive site research, semi-structured interviews with the users and stakeholders of each site, and temporary interventions, the case for active co-existence will be made. The tensions and conflicts between the stakeholders, the users, the residents and the local authority of the area, as a result of the recent developments and gentrification, will be analysed. This investigation intends to interrogate how the designer can act as a ‘trigger’, by developing performative interventions, that will allow the enactment of the conflicted groups. The thesis aims to create a series methods, through which the designer will activate the voice of the actors in the south walled city of Nicosia and will play an active political role. Finally, I aim to develop a manifesto for the role of the designer, in order to be used by other designers tackling contested public spaces.