Abstract
The current global refugee crisis is a pressing reality, with over 108.4 million forcibly displaced individuals worldwide by the end of 2022, and a refugee population exceeding 36.4 million in mid-2023 (UNHCR, 2023d). Currently, Palestinian refugees stand as the largest refugee population globally, exceeding 5.9 million, enduring the world's longest protracted refugee situation, lasting more than 75 years with the fifth generation to be born into exile (Citino et al., 2023). Although camps are intended to be temporary habitats for refugees, the history of current camps teaches us otherwise. For decades, refugees have been living in camps that are failing in terms of sustainability planning and providing basic human rights for refugees. This thesis aims to address the persistent challenges faced in protracted refugee camps, identifying gaps in traditional urban planning approaches and exploring circular development as a potential solution. The research seeks to propose a framework for a refugee circular city that reconciles the camps' temporary nature with their semi-permanent reality, enhancing sustainability and addressing key challenges.
The methodology employed involves a literature review of protracted refugee camps and circular cities, supplemented by data sets, content analysis, evaluation analysis, semi-structured interviews, and the author's own observations and experiences as a Palestinian refugee. A case study assessment of Jabaila Refugee Camp, the largest and oldest Palestinian refugee camp located in Gaza Strip, further informs the research. The traditional planning approaches are assessed using a heatmap to compare the deduced guidelines consideration with the identified challenges. Building on this, gaps of traditional planning approaches are identified. After analyzing the concepts and indicators from circular economy and circular cities, a framework specific to forced displacement contexts is proposed and specifically tested in Jabalia Refugee Camp.
The proposed refugee circular city framework aims to alleviate existing challenges and transform camps into regenerative, resilient, and economically enriched environments. The analysis of Jabalia Refugee Camp serves as an example, providing original insights of the proposed framework opportunities and challenges in Jabaila. Overall, this research contributes to understanding and addressing the realities of refugee camps while offering a comprehensive framework to enhancing sustainability and resilience in forced displacement contexts. Through its methodology and original findings, this thesis seeks to drive meaningful change and improve the lives of refugees worldwide.