Space syntax as a methodology to study ‘power’ in a spatial program in conflict situations

Abstract

In the broader attempt to understand the nexus between the elite and the non-elite, which many philosophers and sociologists have attempted for centuries, architecture and urban design also have their relevancy in this regard. Therefore, while it is perfectly reasonable to state that “Architecture is no commoner practice”, it is also vital to understand that this nexus also has its presence in our day-to-day perceived, conceived, and lived experience (Lefebvre,1997). The Practice has a greater history of portraying eliteness and power with its spatial program and expression. With the change in the human being as well as the society, which transformed from dictatorial to democratic the use and the perception of the building or its Architecture is also subjected to change. This paper is an attempt to understand the social logic of space, the existence of power in it, and its transformation in a specific conflict situation; with the broader intention of finding possible ways forward in identifying some of the issues deeply embedded in our social structures. In this pursuit, the objective of this paper is to figure out the use of ‘space syntax; analysis’ by Hiller and Hanson (1984) as a method to spatially analyze a programmatic relationship between the structure and its associates. Therefore people, intentionally or unintentionally respond to sentiments. The study attempts to unravel the nexus between spatial logic and the social logic that existed during a conflict situation; with regard to the civil insurgence against the political establishment in Sri Lanka. An image review and videography of such events have highlighted similarities in terms of Architectural accountability. Hence the study is being developed to identify the existence of the above hypothesis in a real conflict situation.