Places Left Behind

Arthur Adeya examines the dynamic interplay between formal and informal settlements in Nairobi. His work challenges traditional planning paradigms by reframing public space as a crucible for both productivity and creative resilience. Through investigating the historical narratives woven into these landscapes, Adeya uncovers the latent potential of everyday spaces, demonstrating how the interplay of functionality and creativity can transform “left-behind” areas into vibrant, community-centered environments. 

Uneven technological development has left the Global South grappling with widening inequalities, as advancements centered in the West erase cultural context and the needs of other populations. Zeerak Ahmed delves into technology’s central role in how we interact today in spaces both digital and physical. Through the way these spaces are shaped, we are deepening digital divides and socioeconomic gaps. He advocates for a more inclusive technological progress, one that empowers marginalized communities and transforms technology into a tool for bridging divides rather than reinforcing them. 

North of Prague stands a 160-meter-deep coal mine, now known as Lake Milada, a 4,000-meter-long testament to postindustrial rebirth. After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, the cessation of mining activities prompted the Czech Republic to attempt a basic form of revegetation. Although the resulting landscape is verdant, it is marked by a monoculture that failed to revive the lifeless, erased towns.

This case study critically examines potential pathways for transformation. One key concept is the development of a recreation-based economy—a vision inspired by models seen in Colorado—where an emphasis on community engagement and environmental stewardship ensures that economic development goes hand-in-hand with preserving natural heritage. Can modern developments truly honor erased communities, or do they risk perpetuating the legacy of extraction? Lake Milada’s waters bring to light the tension between progress and memory.