Post-war recovery studies at the University of York: interdisciplinary education addressing the challenges of rebuilding war-torn communities

As suggested elsewhere in this volume, many architectural initiatives and endeavors are a luxury: an escape from the functionality of drab municipal buildings, an opportunity to display success, revive traditional designs, or experiment with new materials. For many though, construction is borne out of necessity. The post-Cold War era has witnessed a series of 'new wars' of enormous destructive capacity. Whole cities have been destroyed (Grozny), populations have been displaced (Kosovo), housing and land have been deliberately made uninhabitable (Bosnia), and sites of historic or religious importance have been razed (India). The result has been an urgent need for reconstruction. But reconstruction is only part of the jigsaw. Post-war scenarios are incredibly complex, involving the need to address the causes of conflict, deal with the effects of the conflict in terms of refugees, trauma or the restructuring of government, and crucially, establish sustainable development.

Professional specialization among academics, aid workers, or even architects means that it is often difficult to achieve a holistic approach to the needs of post-war communities. Based at the University of York, the Post-War Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU) adopted an interdisciplinary approach, positing reconstruction in the broader context of development and peace-building. Many of the students undertaking its MA in Post-war Recovery Studies are architects and use the course to augment their professional skills with other skills and perspectives needed to operate in a post-war environment. This chapter begins with a short review of the changing nature of contemporary armed conflict and the resultant need for reconstruction. It then outlines the approach taken by the PRDU, particularly in its teaching activities in which there is significant overlap in terms of research, teaching, and practical