Eighth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

Military planners are struggling to plan for future operations in large, dense, urban centers. First, the scale of “mega cities” far exceeds the capacity of modern military force structures. Second, highly kinetic operations using stand off munitions (bombing and shelling) is precluded by normative and political constraints. What else can be done? We explore the types of operations and urban environments in which policy aims might be achieved by leveraging informal communities and social structures nested within urban centers. This will allow for the achievement of goals while minimizing the destruction imposed on urban landscapes and populations. We utilize formal typological analysis and qualitative methods to frame the alternative space. This is part of a larger research project looking at strategies of engaging communities and networks.