Navigating Social Sustainability in Refugee Camps Through Transect Walks

ABSTRACT

This paper provides a comparative study of the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps in Jordan, examining how current planning of the built form, layout and design influences social sustainability indicators within the camps. The aim is to examine and identify key socio‐spatial factors that either support or undermine social sustainability in both camps using transect walks. Generally, results suggest that the macro‐scale, characterized by low camp homogeneity and a chaotic path system, was associated with higher fear of crime and lower perception of safety, but was perceived to support higher access to services, amenities and facilities. At the meso‐scale, the urban form corresponds with weaker community networking and social interactions but facilitates social participation and community engagement. At the micro‐scale, characterized by larger shelter areas resulting from appropriation schemes, it promotes a higher sense of pride and place attachment and supports higher levels of everyday agency and a sense of permanence. The findings aim to inform architects, urban planners and inter‐governmental agencies on how spatial strategies can promote social sustainability in the context of planned refugee camps, advocating a comprehensive approach that creates empowering living environments for refugees.