ROOTS OF GAZA

With this study we aim to investigate the network of an informal city in extreme external conflict. We will focus on the tunnel network underneath the Philadephi Corridor in Gaza as a prime example. How does the informal city evolve underground? What new urban structures are formed? Can the subterrestrial city exist within the cycle of destruction and regeneration? Through this investigation we hope to gain a better understanding of the different layers and scales of the city in constant collapse.

*The Philadelphi Corridorls* Is the name given to the 14km strip of land between Gaza and Egypt. It was established as a demilitarized bufferzone between the two countries in accord with the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. The corridors main crossing-point is the small town Rafah. It straddles the two boarders and is divided by a 18ft metal wall that was put in place by Israel during the Palestinian uprisings of the early 2000. Today the Corridor is under strict surveillance by Israel. It imposed a blockade after Hamas violent takeover in 2007. Their primary concern was the militarization of Gaza and thethreatthis would poseto Israel security. Inaccordance with CBS news "Israel aim was to dryup Hama’s weapon industry by keeping out steelandfertilizersthatcan beturned into explosives". Israel Ministry of Forgein Affairs even announced that the "Hamas terrorist organization utilized Rafah to arm its members through the entire Gaza strip"