Stigmergy in informal communities: The unrecognized Bedouin settlements in the Negev, Israel

About this Video

• Video Title: Stigmergy in informal communities: The unrecognized Bedouin settlements in the Negev, Israel
• Channel: School of Cities
• Speakers: Dan Silver, Yara Rosener Manor, and audience members
• Duration: 53:38

Introduction

This video features a seminar presentation by Yara Rosener Manor, a professional urban planner, on the application of "stigmergy" to understand the organization of unrecognized Bedouin settlements in the Negev Desert of Israel. The presentation explores how indirect communication and environmental modifications lead to collective behavior and internal order within these communities, even in the absence of centralized planning.

Key Takeaways

• Stigmergy: Defined as indirect communication and coordination through environmental modifications, stigmergy is a key mechanism for collective behavior in the absence of centralized control. This is relevant to urban planning, particularly when dealing with informal settlements.
• Bedouin Settlements: The unrecognized Bedouin settlements in the Negev Desert serve as a case study. Their organization exhibits stigmergy, with the layout of houses and villages reflecting both physical constraints (drainage basins) and social structures (separation of groups to avoid conflict).
• Fractal Mechanism: The spatial organization of the settlements operates on multiple scales (house, village, region), exhibiting a fractal pattern consistent with stigmergy.
• Dual Stigmergic Systems: The presentation reveals two interacting stigmergic systems: one involving men's direct communication in establishing territorial boundaries and public spaces, and another involving women's indirect communication through trails used for social visits and trade.
• Implications for Planning: Understanding stigmergy's role in these communities offers valuable insights for urban planning, particularly in recognizing and incorporating existing informal structures and social dynamics into formal planning processes.