Ode to the Arcades in the Thought of Walter Benjamin
The resurgence of arcades can contribute to making the city a more enjoyable place amidst heat islands, traffic congestion, and social isolation.
The revival of arcades has the potential to enhance urban livability by offering a reprieve from issues such as heat islands, traffic jams, and social detachment. Delving into Walter Benjamin’s works allows one to value the experience of leisurely walking through the city, enveloped in the welcoming atmosphere of its arcades.
Merciless heatwaves transform our streets into ovens, traffic flows with an infernal roar through our concrete veins, and the spirit of social isolation hangs like a pale mist over our metropolises. Cities cry out for change. In the fabric of our urban architecture lies an answer, hidden in a nearly forgotten piece of heritage.
Arcades hold a special meaning for us, as the German cultural philosopher Walter Benjamin noted. Arcades are more than historical buildings; they connect us with our urban identity. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Benjamin's ideas, particularly his vision of arcades and passages. Arcades are being appreciated anew, not only as memories but also as a glimpse into the future of our cities.
Arcades Project
For those unfamiliar with Benjamin's musings, he saw the arcades as the arteries of a new urban body. In this world, the individual could engage with the collective in a dance of consumerism and contemplation. His 'Arcades Project' is a profound exploration of these social spaces, revealing how they encapsulate the transition from one era to another.
These structures cater to our desire for beauty, connection, and peace amid the hustle and bustle of the city. They are more than just functional; they reflect our experiences and passions. Despite our modern technologies, we are still urban beings searching for protection and community.
We seek connections with each other, with the places where we are and where we come from. Arcades show us the value of art and culture in our environment. As a resident of Brussels, I see the crowds around the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries in our European capital. It is a showcase of the city.
Sustainability and livability also play a significant role in modern urban planning. Arcades connect individuals with communities, are unique in each city, and reflect local culture and identity. Urban planners and policymakers well understand this.
In some towns, arcades are being restored (as recently with the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II in Milan), while in others, while in others, like Nottingham's Broadmarsh, they are undergoing restoration. Think also of the world-famous souks from Casablanca to Damascus, which, through their coverings, are places of protection, trade, and community.
Or take Bologna, famous for its miles-long porticoes. These covered walkways, rich in history and culture, have for centuries provided shelter from the weather, creating a unique public space that strengthens the social fabric of the city.
The porticoes of Bologna are not only beautiful and pleasant but also functional, allowing pedestrians to move through the city without relying on cars. They have been recognized as a cultural world heritage site since 2021.
Paris Passages
When discussing arcade projects, we must naturally talk about the Parisian' passages.' They form a unique and characteristic element of the Parisian cityscape. I am referring to le passage du Bourg-l’Abbé, Jouffrey, or Verdeau. They often date from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and are a fascinating example of the architectural and cultural history of the city.
These covered walkways were initially built as sheltered shopping streets, offering an elegant and comfortable alternative to the often dirty and crowded streets of Paris. They had glass roofs that allowed natural light to enter and offered an array of shops, cafes, and other forms of entertainment. The arcades quickly became fashionable places to be seen and to see. They remain so in the French capital.
This is where Walter Benjamin's The Arcades Project is of tremendous importance. In this superb yet unfinished work, the German thinker drew our attention to the rich complexity of these passage buildings. He did not regard them as mere architectural constructions but as breathing symbols of transformation, as bridges between eras where time and experience merge.
For Benjamin, the nineteenth-century Parisian arcades were stages upon which the dreams and fears of society came to life. They reflected the shift from a feudal order to capitalism and the rise of the modern industrial world.
The flaneur
Benjamin places the flâneur figure at the epicenter of this body of ideas. The flâneur is a person who wanders through the city carefree and without a fixed purpose, through the covered arcades and over the boulevards of nineteenth-century Paris.
The flâneur assumes the role of an observing participant without actively intervening. They take the freedom to wander and absorb the urban ambiance. This figure is thus linked to the rise of modernity and urban consumer culture.
These structures cater to our desire for beauty, connection, and peace amid the hustle and bustle of the city. They are a testimony to how our built environment can offer refuge and communal spaces that are more than just functional; they reflect our experiences and passions, providing solace from the elements, both metaphorical and literal.
As we celebrate the architectural and cultural significance of arcades through the lens of Benjamin's philosophies, it's impossible to overlook the pressing environmental shifts that bring new relevance to these historic structures.
Summer 2023
The summer of 2023 serves as a stark reminder of the role our urban environments play in the era of climate change. We witnessed severe rainstorms and confronted extreme heat. Such events are not merely isolated anomalies; they underscore the urgency of designing cities that can withstand and adapt to these new climate realities.
Arcades, with their covered walkways, offer a glimpse into a design philosophy that inherently provides shelter and communal space in the face of inclement weather. Adapting old concepts like arcades into urban planning can create a more sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
As we navigate the consequences of climate change, the arcade's ability to provide a protected path becomes more than a cultural asset — it becomes a necessary consideration in our quest to create livable cities that respect the bounds of our changing climate.
Do arcades have a future as part of sustainable urban development? I am convinced they do. The growing awareness of the need for social spaces where people can come together, protected from the elements and the noise of traffic, while experiencing a sense of community is a sign that the concept of the arcade is more relevant than ever.
In conclusion, revitalizing the arcade is not just a nostalgic yearning for the past. It is a recognition that in the heart of our fast-paced, technology-driven world, we have a profound need for places that embody beauty, history, connection, and calm. It is a tribute to our urban soul.
An original version was published in De Groene Amsterdammer.
