Jinwar
by in Rojava, Syria
Details   Views:  125
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Data Info
Author
City Rojava
Country Syria
Year 2018
Program Women's Eco-Village
Technical Info
Site area 101500 sqm
Gfa sqm
Density far
Population density inh/ha
Home Units: 30
Jobs
Streetsroad: %
Buildup: %
NonBuild-up: %
Residential %
Business %
Commercial %
Civic %
Description

    Women-only Village

     

  • Jinwar is an independent community that is only inhabited by women and their children in Northern Syria. Most of the residents are survivors of abusive families or widows of soldiers.
  • The idea of this women-only village arose in response to the ongoing Syrian civil war and the subsequent attacks against women living amidst the war. There are several progressive women’s groups who are fighting against patriarchal norms in war-torn Syria. They have heavily influenced the creation of Jinwar, a refuge by women for women.
  • Located in an autonomous region of Syria called Rojava, Jinwar showcases how democratic matriarchal societies can empower women and encourage peaceful independent living.  
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    Masterplan and Architecture

     

  • The settlement consists of small mud-brick buildings arranged in a triangular formation
  • There is a central semi-open community area
  • The community garden that feeds the residents juts into the triangular formation acting as a buffer between the surroundings and the dwellings.
  • The village is self-built by the residents using traditional building techniques. They utilize mud brick produced on-site. This cuts costs and reduces dependency on external sources. The mud brick also helps regulate indoor temperature.
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    Inhabitants

     

  • The village houses around 24 families of women and their children in around 50 mud buildings
  • The residents come from various Middle-Eastern backgrounds such as Arab, Kurdish and Assryian . There are also a few women from other regions of the world as well. 
  • An all-women village committee regularly organizes events and addresses problems faced by the residents.
  • The women undertake various ecological agrarian activities such as farming and herding livestock for their daily needs. The various resources and revenue produced within the village are distributed amongst all the residents, leading to a village owned by the community.
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    Principles 

     

  • The residents living here follow certain core principles such as ecological awareness and communal economy. The principles aim to achieve self-sufficiency and autonomy for the residents, who are often uneducated or without familial support.
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    Program

     

  • Important community buildings like the school, health centre and women’s academy are located at the corners of the triangular formation. 
  • The women’s academy imparts knowledge about “jineology” , self-defence and  natural healing practices. Jineology refers to teachings based on the feminist movement led by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. 
  • Several amenities such as a children’s park and small pool offer some recreation to the residents. 
  • A village shop and lodge have also been built.
  •  A small bakery provides residents with baked bread, operated by two women.
     
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