mae la

In order to research a suitable case study, one could consider longevity and size of a camp. Mae La, a Burmese refugee camp in Thailand (originated 25 years ago, estimated size of 50,000 inhabitants on 2km2) is an interesting site as there was no formal planning or material distribution: it grew from a bottom up initiative with locally available materials. In age and population size, however, it is comparable to Almere Buiten.

multiple perspectives

Temporary urban structures such as refugee camps have a huge potential for exploration with regard to spatial research. How is the built environment perceived? How can it make a difference? Does it guide behavioral choices? What interventions have the inhabitants made to territorialize their habitat? What interventions did they make before they moved to a refugee camp to feel at home in a space?

"It may be that we have become so feckless as a people that we no longer care how things do work, but only what kind of quick, easy outer impression they give. If so, there is little hope for our cities or probably for much else in our society. But I do not think this is so." (Jane Jacobs, Death and Life of Great American Cities)

towards integration

If humanitarian agencies invested in providing refugees with freedom to move, work and remain in the country of asylum (all the things that camps prevent), refugees could actually become a benefit to the host society and economy.

temporary design

If temporarity was a feasible approach to the problems of migration, then it could be interesting to observe temporary settlements in other contexts and their aim at self sufficiency (waste, energy, traffic and economy).

permanent transition

With global migration and millions collectively fleeing economical, political, social and natural disaster, should we look to Archigram's walking cities, consider options as freedom ships, or embrace temporarity?

diasporic dwelling

Diaspora (ancient Greek: dispersal of population through colonization), while it has taken on a negative connotation of trauma, exile, banishment; has also taken a positive connotation of a relation between migrants' homelands and their new places of settlement.

refugee research

Designing for all humanity is a 'thing of modernism' and nowadays capitalism and sales dictate the mindset of the spatial designer. Social awareness and community spirit are hard to find in contemporary cities, especially when it comes to allowing outsiders in. Borders and states have caused many to fall between the cracks of this civilization; is it the job of the spatial designer to include them in formal planning?