Latest news with #shelters
The National
3 days ago
- General
- The National
Gaza shelters reimagined as memorials and study spaces at Venice Architecture Biennale
Stairwells often take on a new function during war and natural disasters. These in-between spaces – typically designed to merely connect one floor to another – become something else entirely in moments of crisis. Structurally resilient and tucked away from exposed facades, they serve as improvised shelters where people gather in hope, fear and resilience. Their mundane utility is transformed. In the face of destruction, stairwells become spaces where life clings on. Time Reclaiming Structures, a project by Dima Srouji and Piero Tomassoni that is being highlighted at Venice Architecture Biennale, draws inspiration from these spaces to create a series of structures that are as much a dedication to Gaza 's heritage as they are shelters, study spaces and memorials. Stairs are a central component of their design. 'Anyone that has experienced war will have this intimate relationship with the architecture of a staircase,' Srouji says. 'What's interesting about it is that the form of a staircase is not exactly what saves you. It's more the intimacy, the magic that starts to happen in that space during hours of shelter where you're reading under the staircase with your dad, or doing your homework.' Gaza Shelters, the first iteration of Time Reclaiming Structures, reflects these nuances. At first glance, the structures proposed in the project initially seem simple in their design. Rectangular in shape, comprising no more than four walls and a roof, they are adjoined by a moveable staircase. Yet, the central structures as well as their staircases have been designed with more than one purpose. The structures are each dedicated to a branch of knowledge that are threatened by Israel's attack on Gaza. These include spiritual, medical, environmental, artisanal, architectural, culinary studies. The roofs of these rectangular structures are engraved with heritage sites in the Palestinian enclave. The ceilings underneath feature the topographies of the Strip's natural terrains. The walls display artefacts, archeological finds, photographs and objects reflecting the purpose of the structure. The stairs also function as a library and study space. 'Each one focuses on a different branch of knowledge,' Srouji says. She offers the one dedicated to the medical as an example, saying it is 'one of the most urgent spheres to think about.' The proposed structure would contain films about Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, the Palestinian surgeon who has repeatedly travelled to his homeland from the UK to help those affected by the cyclical Israeli onslaught. It would also include research by US academic Jasbir Puar, whose work delves into the maiming of Palestinian men and the use of prosthetics. 'You'll also see work on the history of gauze, because it was first invented in Gaza and the word gauze is actually derived from Gaza,' Srouji says. Meanwhile, the heritage sites engraved on the roofs, and which are viewable by climbing the stairs, are informed by Srouji's own work in archeological sites in collaboration with The Palestinian Museum. Highlighted sites include the Great Omari Mosque, Byzantine Church of Jabalia, the Church of Saint Porphyrius, all of which have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli air strikes. 'It also includes some of the tunnel structures as well and which are archaeological features,' Srouji says. 'People don't realise this, but there's the St Helena Tunnel that is 4000 years old. It used to connect downtown central Gaza to historic Gaza to the coast. The tunnels are also archeological heritage sites. They're not just sites of resistance.' Time Reclaiming Structures was inspired both by the biennale's theme of collective knowledge, as well as global geopolitical realities – chief among them the war in Gaza. The structures make a profound argument about memory, attention and empathy in the age of crisis. The spaces that come as part of the project are not meant to only reclaim heritage sites, but also time. 'The title was probably the hardest part of the project for us,' Srouji says. 'Trying to configure, not just what's happening in Gaza in terms of genocide, but also other things the world is dealing with today can be a point of empathy and solidarity for Palestine. That's where Piero's research comes in, in terms of slowing down time, and brings some capacity for empathy.' 'Humans are now in a condition of almost inability to take the necessary time to understand the history that they are living,' Tomassoni adds. 'Because there is no time for the deep thinking that is required to elaborate a philosophical or historical understanding of the past but also of the present. If we lose that then we are not going to be able to resolve any of our problems.' This is how the idea behind Time Reclaiming Structured emerged, aiming to create forms that act as shelters as well as contemplative spaces – places that protect, isolate and allow for reflection amid chaos. 'It can be applied to Gaza right now but also a number of other places,' Tomassoni says. 'The structure is partially monumental when seen from outside. But then when you go inside, it becomes small gallery, museum or chapel.' Srouji and Tomassoni were initially aiming to build three of the structures for the Venice Biennale, however when they found out the Arsenale was the only space that would be showcasing projects unaffiliated with National Pavilions, they knew they wouldn't have the opportunity to build any of them for the event. Instead, they decided to feature all the structures as renders within the Arsenale exhibition space. However, the duo are still keen on developing the project and building them in stone, preferably limestone, given its connotations to Palestine. 'We see this as the first iteration of Time Reclaiming Structures, which could go in many directions' Tomassoni says. 'It could also be the first step to building a Palestinian Pavilion, for example.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pinellas County workers training to run hurricane shelters ahead of 2025 season
The Brief Pinellas County workers are going through their final training on how to run shelters as hurricane season begins on Sunday. Workers were presented with information they needed to know, especially having activated four times in three years. About 100 county staff members work with county school staff, police, fire and cafeteria workers to keep the evacuation shelters running. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - One of the most important things to know is where you'll go when a storm hits, and Pinellas County workers are going through their final training on how to run shelters as hurricane season begins on Sunday. "We had around 1,700 people for Hurricane Helene and close to 14,000 for Hurricane Milton," said Adam Pedzich, the response and recovery manager for Pinellas County government. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Big picture view Those Pinellas County residents came to shelters when they needed a safe place to stay during the storm for themselves and their pets. This hurricane season, county workers are training staff to make sure they're ready to do it again. "We do 10 trainings so far this year where we bring in the staff, and it's everything from the administrative paperwork to how to set up a shelter to how to register someone," said Pedzich. Pedzich presented information on what workers need to know, especially having activated four times in three years, from Ian to Idalia, Helene and Milton. READ: Hurricane Season 2025: Duke Energy gives inside look at control center "It's stressful for our staff. It's stressful for the residents. That's one of the things we teach is just kind of that mental health component," said Pedzich. "We can help deescalate situations, so we don't have to get law enforcement. Sometimes people just need somebody to talk to." Dig deeper About 100 county staff members work with county school staff, police, fire and cafeteria workers to keep the evacuation shelters running at local schools. "Even after those shelters close, especially last year, people still need a place to go. Maybe their house was damaged. So then, we may move to a recreation center or a church in collaboration with some of our other partners to keep that shelter ongoing after we're out of the schools," Pedzich said. Hopefully, Pinellas won't have to issue any evacuations and open shelters. But if the time comes, county workers are ready. MORE: St. Pete residents struggle to rebuild ahead of hurricane season as HUD funding plans take shape "Sometimes, even if you're not in an evacuation order, it may be a good idea for you to come to a shelter. Just have your plan in place and know where you're going to go," said Pedzich. What you can do Pinellas County officials said they always have a general population, pet-friendly and special needs shelters available for residents. They have a free hurricane expo on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Willis S. Johns Recreation Center in St. Petersburg. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Briona Arradondo. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
CBC
7 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Sask. wildfires scatter thousands of evacuees across the province
Wildfires across Saskatchewan forced thousands of people out of their homes and into shelters and hotels across the province.
CBC
28-05-2025
- General
- CBC
What's changed at shelters since serial killer targeted vulnerable women?
During Jeremy Skibicki's trial, court heard the now convicted serial killer targeted vulnerable women who frequented Winnipeg homeless shelters. CBC looked into whether the case led to changes in how shelters operate and their safety protocols.
Japan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Japan launches first nationwide shelter survey for future armed attack
The government has carried out its first-ever nationwide survey of underground facilities, aiming to identify potential shelters to protect citizens in the event of a foreign armed attack. The survey found that the area occupied by emergency temporary evacuation facilities across Japan could be nearly doubled by additional designations. Such facilities are intended for short-term evacuations lasting a few hours. In the current fiscal year, ending in March 2026, the government plans to develop an implementation policy to provide guidance on securing shelters. It aims to accelerate discussions by incorporating findings from the survey. Under the civil protection law, certain existing facilities are designated as temporary shelters. The government envisions these shelters being used for stays of one to two hours, primarily in anticipation of sporadic missile attacks. To qualify as shelters, facilities must be "concrete or other solid structures, including underground facilities." According to the survey results released in April, underground facilities already designated as temporary shelters covered a total area of 4.91 million square meters as of April last year. Additionally, the survey identified candidate facilities totaling approximately 4 million square meters that have not yet been designated as temporary shelters. This total includes 1.26 million square meters for parking lots and 700,000 square meters for large-scale commercial facilities. The survey also examined the structure of the designated shelters, revealing that their average ceiling thickness was 46 centimeters. According to the survey, 61% of the facilities met the minimum exterior wall thickness of 30 centimeters required for specially designated temporary evacuation shelters planned for the Sakishima island chain in Okinawa Prefecture. These full-scale facilities are part of contingency plans for a potential Taiwan emergency that could impact the Nansei island chain. The specifications for these planned special facilities also mandate the installation of two or more separate gateways. The survey revealed that 73% of existing general temporary shelters already meet this requirement. In its efforts to protect citizens, the government has prioritized strengthening defense capabilities, such as missile defense, and developing evacuation plans. Securing shelters, however, has remained a challenge that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has worked on for years. "Demonstrating an attitude that says, 'Shoot if you can, but not a single Japanese citizen will die,' will serve as a major deterrent," Ishiba said during a session of the Budget Committee in the House of Representatives last year, before he became prime minister. A key issue in securing shelters nationwide is determining the types of threats to anticipate, as well as defining the requirements for their solidity and functionality so that citizens seeking refuge can be accommodated effectively. The government also needs to assess the associated costs and consider how these efforts align with existing laws and regulations, including the building standards law. For reference, the government compiled information on the preparedness of other countries. Finland, for example, has secured temporary shelter capacity for about 86% of its population. These shelters are equipped with ventilation systems to protect against chemical weapon attacks, with the expected stay set at around three days. In South Korea, which has shelter capacity for about 331% of its population, such facilities are required to be constructed underground with two or more gateways. The expected stay in these shelters is a few hours. In Japan, by contrast, the specifications and functions of temporary shelters vary widely. Regarding the planned specially designated shelters, which are designed to withstand landing invasions, guerrilla attacks, ballistic missile attacks and aerial assaults, a Defense Ministry official noted that "the specification requirements are excessive for promoting installation nationwide." Responses to nuclear, biological and chemical attacks — threats that neither existing nor planned specially designated shelters are equipped to handle — remain another major concern. The government plans to address these issues in an implementation policy to be formulated by the end of the current fiscal year. One government official said, "There are a wide range of issues to be considered, including functionality and costs," suggesting that discussions may be difficult.
