At issue here is 'the subject': the exposed nature, powerlessness and defencelessness of the subject fuels many current philosophical and aesthetic debates. This is accompanied by political considerations and artistic demands for a new self-empowerment of the subject. The forms of representation of such considerations, and questions related to the status of the subject in contemporary art, provide the thematic framework for this particular project topic. What is bare life?

Here are some discussions related to this topic on ArchNet:

Bidonvilles and riots in Paris
Usefulness of flyovers and underpasses in South Asian megacities
Karachi: Leftover spaces in cities
Slums
Anti-social spaces in an urban context
Creativity and architecture
Women and architecture