A day in the life of Children
Speculative Environments
Supervisor - Mr. Teh Joo Heng
Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement, is a pioneering model for future refugee camps. Its masterplanning approach provides the groundwork for a sustainable future - both for the refugees and the locals. However, through interviews and site visits it is clear that in the transition between the immediate crisis and the future vision, there are plenty that are being left behind. The focus of this thesis is a critique on the insufficient consideration for those in transition: what happens during this protracted crisis? By suggesting architectural and landscaping implementations (micro-scale interventions), this thesis offers an explorative perspective for readers - architecture engages the community on the ground, an aspect that masterplans cannot replace. Lastly, the scope of this thesis focuses on children and women - vulnerable groups in this crisis - but engages the community-at-large in order to create a conducive environment for sustainable solutions.
(Realities on the ground)
The greatest challenge faced by the masterplan is found in the gap between the vision and the ability to implement it. In this transitory state, the refugees lack viable access to numerous facilities catered for in the plan. This means that either the facilities has not been implemented, or that it requires the refugees to travel long distances to the one facility in the settlement - this includes women and children. This is further compounded by various physical challenges such as Kalobeyei's extreme climate, and flash flooding risks (at certain times of the year).
Psycho-social interventions
Moreover, in this perpetually endless wait, refugees lack access to aspirational opportunities. Some refugees that I interviewed have lived their entire lives in camps, having came from another refugee camp before being settled into Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement. Designing from the perspective of a child, this thesis explores opportunities in making spaces that the children frequent safer. In such circumstances, safety is not restricted to physical safety - it encompasses opportunities to nurture communities, comfortable spaces to use, and development opportunities like education.
Demonstration site
A site is selected to complement the masterplan, in which three programmes are allocated: Community Centre, Early Childhood Development Centre, Recreation. This thesis examines a possible future in which children can play freely in various spaces across the settlement - developing it a step further from BRAC's Humanitarian Play Lab. As the school (Early Childhood Development) only encompass half the children's day (from 0700 - 1300) it is critical to apply the same principles across the site - beyond the school. This strategy includes designing for an integrated cottage industry with the community centre. The strategies applied in this site, in turn, can be replicated across the settlement in order to develop safe spaces for children and women.
Links & Contact:
Email - 948bernard@gmail.com
Linkedin - https://linkedin.com/in/bernard-heng948/
Instagram - @__orso