Encamping Displaced People: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Bryn Mawr College. Department of Growth and Structure of Cities
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Bi-College users only
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
Urbanism emerging in the space of refugee camps is one of the exigent planning themes of our times. This particular urbanism holds an important place in international politics as a space of conflict through which national governments, NGOs, and international agencies exercise power. The camp is subject to the design methodologies of various parties, which attempt to mold it according to their individual policies and aims. Its unique emergent urban qualities and development are therefore of interest to those who would discover the effects of such policies on the camp. As well, the space of the camp is critical to the discourse of refugee and displaced person advocates. Many studies of encampments for displaced people have been made, yet few have set out to address the planning methods used to build camps. This thesis attempts to address that deficit by examining the physical planning methods and camp forms espoused by the UNHCR, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the U.S. Air Force. The study is conducted through examining the agencies’ planning texts, respectively, Handbook for Emergencies, Camp Management Toolkit, and Air Force Handbook 10-222, Vol. 22: Refugee Camp Planning and Construction Handbook. The documents set forward methods of planning, using qualitative argument that conceive of the space’s role as formative in reconstructing the lives of displaced residents. As well the texts are respectful of international law and the needs of aid agencies within the camp. Ultimately, deferring to too many perspectives, the planning documents struggle to take a meaningful position on encampments. Rather they remain caught between their humanitarian goals and the recognition that larger forces politically overpower them with policies that are not concerned primarily with the well being of displaced people.
Description
Citation