WE, THE TEMPORARY
Cursus
Rotterdam has been drawing people from every corner of the globe for decades, thanks to its port and connections to the rest of the world. During these weeks, we will therefore look at the city of Rotterdam as a space for migrants, whether they be refugees from war or expats surfing the waves of international capital. We will explore the lives and experiences of those who temporarily stay in the city. From seasonal workers in Westland’s greenhouses or the logistic warehouses, to international students pursuing a master’s degree at one of the universities. And from undocumented migrants who live on the street and struggle to survive, to rich expats who are welcomed with open arms.
We will do reconnaissance missions in a number of buildings that were specifically designed and built for travellers of different kinds: the asylum seekers centre, the labour migrant hostel, the exclusive enclave for expats and the international student hotel. We will investigate these temporary communities and see which role they play in local and global networks, mapping out their inner social, spatial and architectural workings, as well as the political and financial structures that have created them.
This workshop is part of our This is Tomorrow 2025 programme, but also offered as a stand-alone workshop.