The following diploma thesis is an eco-sensitive approach to the controversial matter of Acheloos River Diversion. It presents an alternative proposal where architecture can resolve legal disputes between Nature and Humanity. Therefore, the thesis proposes a new type of a moving Tribunal as an architectural medium that describes the landscape through the lens of law and analyses four outdoor trial proceedings as case studies along an uncharted ecosystem.
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Nature Justice – The first representation of Man fighting Nature is thought to be the mythological battle of Acheloos River and Hercules. This everlasting battle has gradually been transformed from physical to jurical, leading environmental advocates and fighters in the courtrooms. With the certainty that Nature will always be under the jurisdiction of Man unless It receives recognized Legal Rights, this thesis imagines an equitable Legal Future where Natural Resources have their own Legal Personhood, and therefore the chance to represent themselves against Humans as equals.
WTW The Tribunal – To achieve this, the establishment of a New specialised Body is arised- the Wandering Tribunal of Waters, which will be the sole international body for resolving any issue arising from conflicts between Nature and Man. This moving Tribunal aims to travel all over the world in order to physically appear on the Water Bodies that are on trial.
The Case of Acheloos
The Parts – One of the cases resorting to the Tribunal is the Divertion Of Acheloos River. After more than 30 years of judicial disputes, this water system is having a personhood and the chance to bring its claims in front of the Tribunal. Τo do this, the Corporation of Acheloos River is established which works in favor of the river. Against the Corporation, stands the Greek State.
Body of Evidence – The proceedings of the Tribunal demand a close examination of the chronicle of disputes between Acheloos River and The State. The struggle for domination lead to the creation of 3 serial artificial lakes, accumulating big volume of the river water between their borders, causing enormous ecological transformations. On the meantime this living engine is the biggest hydroelectricity network in Greece. These reservoirs will be examined as case studies.
Venue – Being a mechanism and a living organism, a lake and a reservoir, the Kremasta lake is the greatest example of a manmade ecology. This shall be the Venue of the Trial, the place that holds precious evidence and the most valuable witnesses.
The Witnesses – A number of different Landscapes laying in Kremasta lake will be called as Witnesses in order to testify in the trial. The Dam & the Transplanted Landscape, The Yard & the Drowned Village, The Isle & the Lost Topographies, The Ruin & the Fluvial Fragments are the four key witnesses and the terittories where this judicial festival will be held.
Following the settings, for each Landscape a different outdoor trial formation and choreography is organised. Depending on the topograpgy and water state, alternate dates and schedules will be followed.
Landscapes in Law – The Wandering Tribunal of Waters, intends to visit the witnesses and listen to their narrative by allowing them to physically exist in the hearings. During the trial, the landscapes will be transformed from legally invisible elements, to legal persons that defend their rights. The involving parts will be extracted from their context and will be placed in a new scope, where the Law applies to all equally.
Facts & Credits
Project Title Wandering Tribunal of Waters: Acheloos Case
Students Anna Biza, Konstantina – Anna Sofianidi
Supervisor Demetra Katsota
Date May 2020
Course Diploma Thesis
Institution School of Architecture, University of Patras
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