Space and Culture

The Destruction of Memory: Architecture at War

“Bevan argues that the destruction of buildings, be they historic, symbolic, or merely utilitarian, ‘is often the result of political imperatives rather than simply military necessity.’ Architecture, he contends, ‘is not just maimed in the crossfire; it is targeted for assassination or mass murder.’ Significant buildings may be destroyed as an adjunct to genocide, as propaganda for a cause, as a way of demoralizing an enemy, or out of simple personal vindictiveness on the part of the attackers or the victors.”