Eighth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

Despite the emerging research on ISIS and long-standing exploration of contemporary conflicts in the Middle East there is a gap between the academia and the general population. This gap is often filled with sensationalized news and fear-mongering politicians. This paper seeks to bridge that gap, to present a factual and understandable view on cultural destruction in the Middle East at the hands of ISIS. This paper is divided into several parts discussing the history of ISIS, why ISIS attacks art and architecture, the scope of their destruction, as well as current and proposed conservation efforts. This paper focuses particularly on the inadequacy of current conservation efforts to address sites that have been completely destroyed. This paper proposes the building of sustainable community spaces in these sites to help the community heal, and conserve what is left of these sites. The use of museums, community gardens, children’s parks, water collecting systems for arid landscapes, and monument design all contribute to the function of these spaces. This paper is part of a growing academic field studying ISIS and a larger community-based movement for accessible and accurate information in regards to current destruction, conservation, and rebuild efforts.