Social and Constructed Solidarity

Abstract

A tool for empowerment and progress is design. As the world continues to grow and shift, socially, culturally, economically, and politically, physical space continues to shift, and the need for the architects expertise and creative (re) solutions is needed. The architect must act as the social entrepreneur. must design in response to the local and cultural aspirations of the community whilst promoting the efficient use of resources.

Poland is a country with a loaded history of destruction, war, rebirth and renewal politically, economically, culturally and socially. Even after the devasting effects of World War II, it is the most successful “transition” economy in the European Union.

Though many urban areas of Poland are developing themselves, the small farm which makes up most of Poland’s topography is stagnant and in need of change and“transition”. The rural- urban edge connection is diminishing and needs to be repurposed. A need for a community based rural-urban connection is needed. In Poland today, there are still 2 million farms, many of which who are struggling and in competition with corporate farms in Western Europe.

This thesis seeks to answer and develop a solution for the small farm.