The exhibition Purposely Invisible: From Temporary to Permanent reveals the reality of informal settlements

Brno, January 9, 2025 – The exhibition *Purposely Invisible: From Temporary to Permanent* by doctoral students Diana Hodulíková and Petr Preininger was inaugurated on Tuesday, January 7, at 5 PM in the Mini Gallery at the Faculty of Architecture, Brno University of Technology (BUT). Complemented by works from students of the *Graphic Techniques* course, the exhibition introduces the fundamental issues of informal settlements in Africa and Asia. A guided tour with the authors will take place on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 4 PM.

About the Exhibition – The World Cities Report highlights that over 20% of the global population – approximately 1.6 billion people – live in informal settlements referred to as slums, shantytowns, or favelas. These structures are characterized by limited access to basic services, safe housing, and legal ownership rights. The exhibition maps the global phenomenon of informal settlements using a comprehensive methodology, including interviews, literature reviews, photography, and mapping. These methods describe the process by which informal settlements transition from temporary structures to permanent, formalized urban components. The research challenges the notion of cities without informal settlements and provides a framework for understanding them.

The exhibition presents four case studies from Ethiopia, Egypt, the Philippines, and Nepal. The settlements are classified into four developmental stages based on spatial volume and materiality. The exhibit demonstrates the gradual transformation through overlapping developmental phases of informal settlements and showcases how such settlements, often seen as urban challenges, can play a transformative role in shaping cities and influencing their development. This perspective aligns with the global development strategy known as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The photographs and phases displayed in the exhibition do not represent specific countries but rather capture situations within given regions. Multiple phases, including formal construction, can be observed within each country.

The research exhibit is complemented by works from students of the *Graphic Techniques* course, led by akad. mal. Milada Gabrielová from the Institute of Imaging, which reflect the theme of the four phases of informal development. The exhibition runs until January 24, 2025, and is open to the public free of charge.

Venue: Mini Gallery, Faculty of Architecture, BUT, Poříčí 273/5, Brno

Duration: January 7–24, 2025

Accompanying Program: A guided tour with the exhibition authors will take place on Wednesday, January 15, at 4 PM.

Exhibition Authors: Ing. arch. Diana Hodulíková, Ing. arch. Petr Preininger

Graphic Prints: Natálie Ležáková, Radek Daniš, Samuel Čiernik, David Marius Bayer, Hanka Pinďáková, akad. mal. Milada Gabrielová

Exhibition Curators: akad. mal. Milada Gabrielová, Ing. arch. Diana Hodulíková, Ing. arch. Petr Preininger