Developing user-informed specifications for refugees shelter in hot-dry climates : a study of the Al Za'atari Camp in Jordan
The increase in refugee numbers is an important concern globally. Since the mid-twentieth century, many countries in different regions have been accommodating refugees by providing shelters. Recently, this response has been evident particularly in Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan, where these countries have faced political and economic obstacles whilst accommodating such large increases in refugees caused by the unstable political situation in the region. Despite the abundance of examples of temporary shelters that various countries offer, previous studies have not shown adequate solutions for social and cultural diversity, as well as building and dismantling an appropriate shelter that is suitable for several environment conditions and particularly in hot-dry climates. There is an absence of studies that discuss refugees’ settlements as a global interest. Furthermore, there are very few examples in the literature that discuss shelters suited to hot-dry conditions, whether provided by government or other international institutions. Existing shelters that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other institutions and donors provide do not satisfy refugees’ needs; specifically, suitable design factors and urban organization aspects. The main aim of this study is to develop the specifications for refugee shelters that meet user requirements in hot-dry climates. The design science method provides a theoretical framework to develop a specification that incorporates the design, structural aspects, layout, and to address the particular social and cultural challenges that are presented in refugee camps in hot-dry climates. The research develops specifications, in terms of shelter performance, and contemplates environment challenges and local context conditions besides adding value through a specifications list which incorporates differences of social and cultural aspects, which are not currently provided in humanitarian organizations’ specifications and guidelines. The result of the specification list gives an opportunity to illustrate infinite alternatives of shelter design which consider not only the users’ needs, but also the local context conditions of being located in the hot-dry climate of Jordan. These designs may also be applicable in other environments with similar climatic conditions. In so doing, the findings presented in the research help form a provisional view of peoples’ needs that can be acted on by humanitarian organizations, which could lead to better standardized shelter solutions.
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