Every 2 seconds, one person in the world is put in a situation, where theywould have to find refuge outside their country due to conflicts or fear of persecution. These numbers have only been increasing over the years, ever since the 1960s,when the refugee crisis started in South Africa.

Most of the refugees from countries in the Asian continent try to take refuge in Europe and if they did not already have a ‘housing crisis, they would not have to bear the additional load that comes with ‘refugee housing crises’.

UNHCR is responsible for handling the global refugee crisis and sets up camps in places where needed. But even with 89% of their staff employed on the field, the situation is out of hand.

With more than half of the refugee population under 18 and with no support, UN peacekeepers help manage camps that are set up temporarily on vacant grounds, airports, and other public spaces. But these camps are temporary and most of these people are in search of a permanent solution for provisions and even nationalization.

Housing for refugees is mostly in camps, set up by the UN, but refugees who seek citizenships, have very few options to do so. The few that exist, come with challenges of their own. To accommodate refugees within city limits, commercial or free spaces are to be converted to residential plots. This increases the density in the area, putting a strain on the land, resources, and infrastructure of the area. It ultimately creates tension between refugees and residents.

Since the influx of these refugees is estimated to increase throughout the years, there will be a soon need for permanent housing that will require answering real questions of migrant issues.

This displaced population who are losing years away from their homes, at the same time completely detached ties from their origin may impair their connection with any economy in the future. With some degree of efficient housing, this vulnerable population can be brought back into the economy while giving them the required dignity to live on.

How do we negotiate urban environments to accommodate the placeless?