Page 24 - Black group Booklet

Borderlands today

Today the situation of the building and For these reasons we regard the building
the neighborhood is as described above: a itself, and the one space in SeeU as ha-
presence of cameras at each entrance and ving a welcoming programme, while the
on the corner of the building, barbed wire rest of the neighborhood does not. Inte-
on top of the wall along the backyard, and raction can happen for instance betwe-
a former military complex in front, with en transport stops and the building, or
high sealed walls and fenced access. Ho- between the building and other desti-

wever, the building itself is occupied and nations, such as SeeU. Inside the bu-
managed by an organized group of mi- ildings, there is space of interaction at
grants, who has created space for themsel- the entrance, in the corridors, and in va-
ves to live, including the organization of rious common rooms. Despite the wel-
activities such as djembé classes, potluck coming programme, some unwelcoming
diners, etc. Neighbours are invited to elements are still present in the (public)
come inside and get to know them, visi- space around the building: (signs of)
tors come to the building to take part in security cameras, anti -theft alarm sy-
an event, the door is almost always open, stems, and the fenced access towards
and usually someone of the collective is the military barracks. They can fun-
present at the entrance, for security, but ction as physical or mental thresholds,

also to be able to respond to questions nei- preventing people from circulating in
ghbours might have. Apart from one space the area or interacting with others.
in SeeU where inhabitants of the VSP are
often invited to, to have a drink or watch a
movie, there are no other activities or de-
stinations for them in the area, apart from
basic necessities, and transport stops.

Legend

Private residences

Public or semi-public space with unwelcoming elements
and/or lack of programme for undocumented migrants

Public or semi-public space with welcoming elements or
programme for undocumented migrants

Potential spaces of interaction

Circulation flows undocumented migrants

Circulation flows visitors, neighbours, ...

Physical or mental threshold

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