Lara Shabani
Dheisheh refugee camp. RWTH Aachen (Germany).
The need to dismantle refugee camps becomes evident as people escape conflict, disasters, and deprivation, often leading to their return home or onward migration. In cases like the Dheisheh refugee camp, refugees have come to accept their camp existence as permanent. Established in 1949 due to the Israeli occupation, Dheisheh camp became a home for displaced Palestinian families from various regions around Jerusalem and Hebron, gradually transforming temporary refugee status into a seemingly permanent one.
The camp's organic growth is characterized by architectural elements blending into the urban fabric, influenced by cultural, historical, and socioeconomic factors. The absence of initial urban planning resulted in an unplanned appearance. State regulations constrained expansion, resulting in a mix of makeshift and permanent structures.
This research examines and analyzes the Dheisheh refugee camp, culminating in the development of a potential scenario for an abandoned construction site. A 510 sq. m. plot on the outskirts serves as the canvas for proposing a multifunctional building design. Resident feedback collected through interviews and workshops during site visits informs the design while preserving the camp's unique characteristics. The design primarily addresses the absence of essential facilities and unfolds in two phases.
Phase one involves constructing a foundational structure with support systems, main and escape access routes, and facilities on a four-meter grid, minimizing potential disruptions during expansion. In phase two, residents are empowered to adapt the structure using three studied typologies as guides, facilitated by consultations, ensuring a deliberate and controlled evolution process.
In conclusion, refugee camps like Dheisheh represent a complex interplay of organic growth and permanence. This research helps envisioning potential future scenarios for abandoned sites. The proposed building design embodies the camp's essence, emphasizing user needs and managed expansion. This approach ensures a thoughtful transformation while respecting the camp's unique urbanization journey.
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