The United Nations has entrusted at the University Institute of Architecture of Venice (IUAV) the project for the reconstruction of the city of Gaza. The Venetian university will therefore be the helmsman of this important development plan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme Regional Bureau for Arab States (Undp). The project will develop in the next 6 months: at the moment the ideas are clear and researchers and experts are ready to start.
On June 19, 2024, the project was presented to the public in the Venetian palace Cà Tron, with a debate between the rector, Benno Albrecht and the representative of the Unpd, Sufian Mushasha. Per buonenotizie.it Professor Antonio Carbonari was interviewedteacher of environmental technical physics at the IUAV headquarters.
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Venice for Gaza: Italy on the front line as a model country
An agreement for the reconstruction of Gaza was signed between the IUAV University of Venice and the UNDP: the project is concrete and aims to create a new functional and welcoming city, in a peaceful and neutral context. Professor Antonio Carbonari, involved in the preliminary stages of the project, explains the evolution of this important Italian goal.
«The IUAV university of Venice specifically deals with post-war research and reconstruction – explains Professor Carbonari – We have projects in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine. The reconstruction of Gaza will be a great challenge for us: more than 60% of the city has been destroyed and damages amount to over 8 billion dollars.. The funding will come from universities, businesses and banks in every country in the world, as well as independent financiers. Everyone must feel part of this undertaking, in which Italy will be at the forefront. The IUAV university of Venice thus wants to pave the way and be an inspirational model for other universities: only the community can rebuild the world and bring about peace and development projects. There has been no shortage of controversy, but what we want is to bring concreteness, beauty and innovation to those who will return to live in Gaza, without making deals for anyone, but thinking about everyone’s future.”
Materials greenlocal workers for the reconstruction of Gaza
The plan for the reconstruction of Gaza includes the use of materials green which do not require the use of water. This is one of the most innovative elements, in a context where water resources are lacking. Furthermore, the IUAV university, during the presentation of the reconstruction plan, proposed working with Palestinian and Israeli teams. A way to create a relationship of union in a context surrounded by hatred and misunderstandings.
«The IUAV rector, Benno Albrecht, presented the reconstruction plan for Gaza, aware that it will be a first step towards peace – continues Professor Carbonari – it will still take a few months to start working on site, but the project aims to make Gaza flourish from its rubble in the shortest time possible. Not only: the operations will be systematic and will also try to improve what did not work before the war, creating new connections and modernizing the infrastructure. The materials used will be truly innovative: resistant fiberglass that does not require water waste. These materials will allow local companies to use them as models to rebuild other cities. Our teachers and researchers specialize in researching innovative materials and collaborating with local businesses, to create reconstruction plans that can be managed independently in the future. The reconstruction of Gaza is possible and will make Italy a point of reference for other countries.”
