Between Life and Death: A Study of Necropolitics in the Graveyard-Living Informal Settlements of Manila

Necropolitical Framework

To understand the premise of this thesis, it’s essential first to unpack the concept of necropolitics. Necropolitics is a term coined by Cameroonian philosopher Achille Mbembe. Mbembe introduced the concept in his book ‘Necropolitics’ as a means to investigate how power operates in relation to the control and regulation of life and death. At its core, necropolitics is a form of political power characterised by the deliberate imposition of social and literal deaths upon individuals or entire populations, either through direct action or through lethal neglect. Michel Foucault states that the fundamental mechanism of power revolves around control over life and death, which underscores the essence of necropolitics. This framework explores how life is subjugated to the power of death, both in extraordinary and mundane circumstances, revealing the intricate dynamics through which power operates.

In essence, necropolitics forces some groups to live in spaces ‘undesired’ by society. Whether in impoverished urban areas or in spaces that hold a symbolic association with death, such as graveyards, the power of necropolitics can make life precarious. For those affected, the result is not just social marginalisation but also a literal and figurative life lived in the shadows of the mainstream urban fabric.

Necropolitics Model — Necropolitics Conceptual Model

Site Visit

I was fortunate enough to visit Manila North. My site visit to Manila North Cemetery offered a stark, firsthand experience of necropolitics in action, where marginalised communities live amidst the dead under neglected and complex conditions. Arriving at the cemetery, I immediately felt the crowded and chaotic layout—a physical testament to the blurred line between living space and burial ground. The cemetery is not just a place of burial; it’s a place of shelter, adaptation, and resilience.

Architectural Response

To respond to the needs of the site, I propose the concept of 'necrourban acupuncture.' Unlike traditional urban acupuncture, which revitalises spaces solely for the living, necrourban acupuncture addresses both the living and the dead. The goal is to create interventions that not only fulfil practical needs but also bring dignity, visibility, and a sense of belonging to all cemetery inhabitants while touching the earth lightly. These interventions will aim to minimise disruption to the cemetery’s existing fabric, offering subtle and respectful enhancements that honour the land and its complex relationships. There are 5 interventions in total.

The Sanitation Sanctuary

Inadequate sanitation is a significant challenge for residents in Manila North Cemetery. The Sanitation Sanctuary provides a sustainable composting toilet system that improves health and hygiene while creating a circular waste management system. The compost generated will support the existing vegetation. This intervention addresses an immediate need for the living while ensuring the cemetery remains a respectful space, reducing pollution and fostering environmental stewardship.

Toilet Section 2 — The Sanitation Sanctuary Perspective Section

Toilet Perspective — The Sanitation Sanctuary Perspective

The Garden of Offerings

The Garden of Offerings is a dual-purpose space on top of the apartment-style tomb wall, where flowers and vegetables grow side-by-side. This garden nurtures life, providing food for residents and a source of remembrance through flower cultivation. It fosters food security and allows families to create living tributes to their loved ones. By transforming the prison-like wall, the garden connects the cemetery to the outside, challenging stigma and fostering connections.

Garden Section — The Garden of Offerings Perspective Section

Garden render — The Garden of Offerings Perspective

The Beacon of Memory

The Beacon of Memory serves as a symbolic and functional tower that illuminates the cemetery at night, enhancing safety for nighttime visits. This landmark invites families to hang tokens of remembrance, ensuring that even those without marked graves are honoured. It acts as a guardian of memory, creating a space that acknowledges both safety for the living and enduring respect for the dead.

Tower section — The Beacon of Memory Perspective Render

Tower Render — The Beacon of Memory Perspective

The Hands of Craft and Care

This intervention introduces versatile modular craft and community spaces that foster economic opportunity and skills development, transforming for purposes like workshops and marketplaces. They allow residents to craft items in memory of the deceased, such as flower pots and candles, enhancing both community bonds and the ritual of remembrance. This flexible intervention brings together the community in celebration, especially during All Saints’ Day.

Community Section — The Hands of Craft and Care Perspective Section

Community render — The Hands of Craft and Care Perspective

The Caretaker’s Dwelling

The Caretaker’s Dwelling is a housing framework that provides a customisable solution for secure housing, respecting the graves below while creating a physical and symbolic separation between the living and the dead.