Hidden Barriers
Hidden Barriers examines how the processes of political, economic, military and ideological conflict shape urban space and community development. The ongoing work of the cluster builds on a series of grant awards from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which have so far funded seven years of investigations into cities such as Belfast, Derry, Liverpool, Bilbao, and Detroit.
Hidden Barriers considers architecture in its widest sense and our examinations are particularly interested in the less visible ways that conflict manifests itself in ‘everyday’ urban space. Our investigations employ multidisciplinary methodologies that bring together expertise from architecture, photography, urban planning, conflict studies, social policy and history, in collaboration with government and community. Recent project teams have brought collaboration between Ulster University, The London School of Economics and U-C Irvine, in partnership with The Executive Office, the Department of Justice, and a range of community organisations.
Research Lead
Dr. David Coyles, Senior Lecturer in Architecture