Use of architecture in demonstrating political power in post-confict colombo

Abstract

Architecture and political power have associated each other throughout the history. Architecture has the ability to ‘frame’ space and thereby structure actions and construct meaning. The study intended to research upon the nexus between architecture and political power by investigating ‘how’ architecture demonstrate political power and ‘what’ they intend to mean, thereby influence and frame the usage of space by people. A theoretical framework was established at the beginning. Studying the context and international examples were studied. The case study was is post-conflict Colombo (2009-2015) which was analysed with evidences gathered through interviews, reports, newspapers, magazines and many more. The study was broad and multi-disciplinary by its’ nature. Hence, the research was carefully narrowing down without compromising its’ very nature. Since the research was investigating into social-physical phenomena, the analysis was conducted in a narrative format, with the intention of describing it in holistic form. The study identifying key factors such as identities, symbolic representation of identities, change of context, projected imagery of public space and political ideology, aspirations were significant factors contributing subconscious of the public. These were achieved by means of building processes and built form either by design or by default are not deterministic or complete.