What caused the war in Syria? Oppression, drought and religious differences all played key roles, but Marwa Al-Sabouni suggests another reason: architecture. Speaking to us over the Internet from Homs, where for the last six years she has watched the war tear her city apart, Al-Sabouni suggests that Syria's architecture divided its once tolerant and multicultural society into single-identity enclaves defined by class and religion. The country's future now depends on how it chooses to rebuild.

Marwa Al-Sabouni: How Syria's architecture laid the foundation for brutal war

How Syria's architecture laid the foundation for brutal war

Syria's modern architecture fostered segregation by identity, eroding the multicultural coexistence and sowing conflict seeds.

Misguided urbanism turned cohesive communities into alienated enclaves, amplifying divisions and setting the stage for war.

Future rebuilding in Syria must embrace architecture that cultivates community, belonging, and peace to prevent past mistakes.

*The Battle for Home: The Vision of a Young Architect in Syria*

*Building for Hope*

Trapped in Homs, Architect Imagines a New Future for Syrian Cities

A TED Talk from a war zone

design

engineering

architecture

cities

collaboration

urban planning

social change

community

religion

potential

natural disaster

violence

society

identity

Middle East

refugees

infrastructure

public space

TED Stage Talk