Mittelmeerland - Alexandria

Mittelmeerland is investigating the future of the Mediterranean. Over three years the intention is to research six different Mediterranean cities. Alexandria is the fifth city we visit after Dubrovnik, Tangier, Beirut and Algiers. Istanbul will follow. We are studying the dynamic territory of Alexandria’s coastline and the mutual dependencies of land and water. Alexandria port is one of oldest ports of the world. It is located on the western extremity of the Nile River Delta. The port is close to the entrance to the Suez Canal and Port Said. The Suez Canal is the shortest connection between the Red Sea and Mediterranean and acts as a Gate from India. The government of Egypt, through the Alexandria port authority in 2001 launched a 25 years tender for the design, construction, financing and operations of a new development area in the port of Alexandria. What is the vision for the coastline, while the country is in political change? Which role does the Suez Canal play in the international network? How will Alexandria act in the Mediterranean context? We will work on five areas along the coastline analyzing existing conditions and future projections, playfully utilizing small-scale phenomena, translating found conditions into large-scale urban interventions and envisioning future changes. We will produce architectural portraits, urban biographies, video narrations and imaginative collages, which ultimately will feature in a publication of the workshop’s research on various waterfront cities around the Mediterranean.

During the workshop a one-day symposium will be held. Its purpose is to examine how the Mediterranean region can position itself as a ’territory’, one that is based on climatic and economic conditions, and subject to specific social, political and spatial dynamics and experiences. Speakers and visiting critics: Chris Pierce, Tomas Klassnik, John Palmesino, Ann-Sofi Rönnskog, Eduard Bru, Lluis Hortat, Ivan Blasi, Ibai Rigby, Charlotte Malterre-Barthes among others