Inshallah Reih al Beit
God Willing We are Going Home
Independent Research under Prof. Yasser Elsheshtawy
Tartus, Syria Governate
Recipient of the William Kinne Travel Scholarship
Since the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring, the country of Syria has been in conflict. The pro-democracy uprisings ignited the still‒continuing Syrian civil war. The militant group, ISIS, declared a caliphate‒a political, religious state ruled by a caliph‒ from 2014-2017 in the northeastern part of the country. In 2010, Syria’s population was roughly 21.2 million. However, the ongoing crisis has caused over 13 million Syrians to leave their home. Although the majority of these Syrians fled to seek refuge in other countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey, roughly 6.2 million became internally displaced within their own borders.
Despite ISIS having been largely defeated and the Syrian civil war, at last, nearing an end, the current situation is a far cry from normal. Limited electricity, access to clean water, increased fuel prices, and extremely high inflation rates have impacted every home in Syria. For those with a home, it has made it exceedingly difficult to carry-out daily functions. For refugees, it has made it nearly impossible to re-establish their lives and create a new sense of home. A report from the United Nations (UN) states that nearly 60% of the Syrian population, or 9.86 million people lack sufficient access to food, and the Syrian Lira has dropped nearly 750% since 2011. A woman in the Baba Amr district of Homs, while being interviewed by an Oxford University researcher posed a question: “Is life after war more difficult than the life at the time of war? … Every day is war.”
The built environment has played a crucial role in the development of the Syrian crisis. Using satellite imagery, the United Nations has estimated that as of November 2017 a total number of 109,393 buildings were damaged in the war, equating to over $120 billion in damage. This is plaguing a country not only with a crippling economy but also sanctions from nearly every country in the world leaving Syria to fall deeper into its hole everyday. Entire cities have been devastated and their urban fabrics are destroyed. Property rights became a tactic to ensure power or conflict, and forces on both sides of the conflict utilized existing buildings to occupy and conspire during the war. Marwa Sabouni, an architect living in Homs, stresses the diminishment of a community and social cohesion through the physical destruction of her hometown, Homs, in western Syria. In the same interview by the Oxford researcher, the woman in the Baba Amr district claims that she feels as though a “monster” had destroyed her city, her home.
Sly, Liz. “U.N. to Investigate Accusations That Russia, Syria Are Deliberately Targeting Hospitals.” The Washington Post. WP Company, August 1, 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/un-to-inve
stigate-accusations-that-russia-syria-are-deliberately-targeting-hospitals/2019/08/01/efa6461a-b478-11e9-acc8-1d847bacca73_story.html.
For those who have decided to flee, many of them have battled equally challenging conditions. Numerous sources articulate the brutal, inevitable conditions refugees are living in whether it is in a camp or not: ice encrusting family tents, homes made from burlap sacks, and climate change is causing families to have to quickly adapt to extreme weather conditions. For Syrians who have relocated outside of the Middle East, many have been met with resistance from their adopted cities’ original inhabitants. The refugees face problems and difficulties of assimilation and acceptance into their new environment. In these new hardships, many Syrian refugees located in different countries have even considered returning despite the continuing crisis, exacerbating a need for adequate home and shelter within the Syrian borders.
The region of Tartus, located north of the Lebanese border along the Mediterranean sea, has seen little activity since the beginning of the war besides an influx of 1.2 million refugees. With the exception of one refugee camp accommodating 20,000 persons, internally displaced refugees (IDPs) largely have been left on their own. In the villages and countryside surrounding the main city of Tartus, building skeletons dot the landscape. With high inflation rates and increased construction costs largely due to sanctions beginning in 2011 numerous building projects were forfeited and their remaining structures were abandoned. The resulting skeletons consist of 4-5 stories of concrete slabs supported by square concrete columns with cast-in-place stairs. The majority of these structures lack any formal ownership and have remained empty for nearly a decade.
Now, nearing the end of the civil war, the reconstruction and reclamation of thousands of buildings throughout Syria has emerged as an important topic. These building structures have the potential to provide temporary shelter and create informal settlements for internally displaced refugees in the Tartus region. With a permanent structure already in place, the existing skeletons can allow families and individuals, infill, create, and occupy shelter within these currently unoccupied spaces.
Several precedents exemplify the promise in creating shelters and establishing collective homes for under-served populations. The former Ex-Moi in Turin became a refuge for west African migrants in Italy, becoming more than just a place to sleep but a community space for people to meet each other and provide resources for its inhabitants. Establishing density for refugee housing reduces the isolating effects many families face when trying to re-establish themselves in new environments. In the case of Berlin, refugee housing was placed right in the heart of the city in the former Tempelhof airport, directly incorporated into the urban fabric of Berlin. This has promoted the recognition of Syrians as city inhabitants and enhanced the social cohesion between Syrians and Berliners, creating an argument for placing refugee housing embedded in established city structures to prevent marginalization.
Razavivand Fard, Haniyeh, and Mehan, Asma. “Adaptive Reuse of Abandoned Buildings for Refugees: Lessons from European Context.” Essay. In Suspended Living in Temporary Space , 188–97. Lettera Ventidue, January 2018
A sense of place and community is vital for anyone attempting to feel at home and re-establish themself in a new place. This idea has remained especially evident in looking at various refugee housing case studies. The Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan is the largest Syrian refugee camp housing ~80,000 refugees. The camp has a unique spatial organization and its inhabitants have been taking reclamation over the site, transforming it from a refugee camp to a semi-permanent city. Here, Syrian refugees have been intervening onto and reorganizing the structure of the camp to meet their desires. Although the camp is formally managed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), its habitants have quickly learned how to reorganize and establish a sense of place to make the camp feel more like home. Initially, when tent structures were utilized, humanitarian workers recall how Syrian families would watch and wait for their tent to be erected only for them to immediately deconstruct it and rebuild in a different location near their acquaintances in an attempt to recreate a social fabric in their new surroundings. Even when more permanent structures were introduced, Syrian welders used fence posts from camp walls and wheels to create a cart to move the caravans around the camp. The operation became so large that a humanitarian worker noted “‘organizations are trying to keep up with the refugees.’”
“Innovation at Za'atari: How Do Refugees Make Tents and Caravans into Homes?” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, July 22, 2015. https://www.theguardian.com/gl obal-development-professionals-network/2015/jul/22/Za'atari-refugee-camp-jordan-creativity-innovation.
Within the building skeletons, using traditional, affordable techniques is crucial given the present situation in Syria when infilling the structure to create residences. Construction in the Middle East has continued for thousands of years using locally sourced materials and traditional construction techniques. It was only until recently that modernized construction materials and techniques became favored and building projects began requiring outsourced materials and skilled labor. In recent years, however, the price of imported steel has soared and, furthermore, the government has placed a high interest rate on government loans which can take upwards of 15-20 years to pay back. Strict sanctions aggravating the already crippling economy have millions of Syrians to lose their jobs, making the purchase of steel and other imported materials simply unfeasible.
Hassan Fathy, an Egyption architect whose work is associated with the vernacular, stresses the importance and benefits of implementing traditional, local techniques. These techniques often provide viable solutions for passive heating and cooling strategies, and, because their origin lives within the history of a culture, their designs can be more easily accepted and adopted by communities. In the Middle East, vernacular techniques have shown how people have used the materials which surround them to create shelter for thousands of years which protects them from the elements without requiring heavy machinery. Al-Kassab (a reed), for example, is still being collected and woven by local craftsmen to create shading devices to protect themselves from the intense Syrian sun while allowing for the breeze from the Mediterranean Sea to flow through it. Although some craftsmen still employ the use of found materials and vernacular techniques, it is primarily completed on the small, residential scale. Syria is rich with ample resources such as this reed, black basalt stone, and rammed earth which all can be utilized to construct ample housing for internally displaced Syrian refugees.
“Ha Kaza Tosna’a Mazalat al-Qasab alati Nastamti’o bi-Zilaha” (This is how Sugarcane Shades are constructed, so that we can enjoy their shade). YouTube. July 1, 2018. Educational Video, 2:06.https://youtu.be/bnxkOTkg9nQ.
Beyond using only traditional materials and techniques native to the Syrian landscape, there is equal opportunity to look to elsewhere for other methods. In Egypt, nearly every aspect of the Date Palm Tree (also found in Syria) has been used to construct homes: the palm trunks for the flooring, the leaves for the ceilings, and the remaining parts to build furniture. The Bedouin culture furthermore provides inspiration of how, in their constant movement throughout the Mediterranean basin, families have consistently utilized the materials around them to create structures which are climatically appropriate. Outside of natural materials, there is potential for other found materials to generate structure. Shigeru Ban has shown in numerous examples how humble objects such as paper tubes can be used to create shelter. Furthermore, researchers in Turkey have been looking at how to repurpose rubble from destroyed buildings around Syria for the creation of aggregate for new construction. In this sense, the researchers argue that by using existing material composition from buildings in the area, the new constructions will blend more seamlessly into the urban environment and be more easily accepted by the wider community.
“Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices.” UNESCO. Accessed April 2, 2022. https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/date-palm-knowledge-skills-traditions-and-practices-01509.
ArchDaily. “The Humanitarian Works of Shigeru Ban.” ArchDaily, May 12, 2020. https://www.archdaily.com/48
9255/the-humanitarian-works-of-shigeru-ban
Related projects/proposals concerning humanitarian architecture highlight the potential for involving the community in construction, both socially through creating a sense of ownership and also economically through the creation of jobs. Although these ideas and prospects are quite promising and beautiful, one has to be extremely precise and articulate with the development of their proposals. In Hassan Fathy’s proposal for New Gourna, he developed a precise aesthetic and organization which resulted in an unrealistic, undesirable proposal for the future residents of the new village. The development and eventual failure of this project emphasizes the importance of not imposing a vision or ideal onto villages for developing communities. Rather it is crucial to understand the community’s true wishes as well as how a proposal can be adapted and personalized by residents to accommodate their needs as time goes on. Alejandro Aravena’s Quinta Monroy also provides a lesson in how to guarantee the long term success of the project. Although this project was met with much success and the photos of Aravena’s “half-built” homes are among the first images when one searches “humanitarian architecture,” the evolution of the project has been less idealistic. As Aravena only left residents with a simple guidebook for how families could expand their home, residents have taken authority over the complex, overtaking spaces Aravena has allotted for open space and community gathering in favor for home additions and garages. In designing an architecture for non-architects, one must consider and be realistic about the long term occupation and what liberties residents will take with their new home.
In designing a humanitarian architecture for an under-served population, it is necessary to approach the project with a certain sense of empathy and understanding of the future inhabitants lives. The current situation in Syria and for Syrian refugees is a dire one. The economy is faltering; inflation is at a record high; climate change is causing unprecedented weather conditions; there is little money to build; if you leave, there is no promise of assimilation. The list does not end there.
The building structures scattered throughout the landscape of the Tartus region provide ample opportunity for displaced Syrian refugee families to create shelter and establish a new sense of home. Having largely remained empty for nearly a decade, these structures are currently failing to reach any potential. Roughly 4-5 stories tall, the concrete skeletons consist only of wide span floors, square columns, and a cast-in place concrete stair. The ground-level is sometimes finished with walls and a garage door to become store-fronts for local vendors, or, are empty and sometimes occupied by local inhabitants as a place to gather. Almost always, however, the upper levels remain fully vacant—not even walls or a facade obtrude the structure. With only unfinished floors with a grid of columns, these structures allow for maximum flexibility and personalization by incoming families. The scale of the structures furthermore can allow for multiple families to occupy the same skeleton, allowing them to converse and create a sense of community while these families attempt to re-establish themselves in view of their current situation. Many of the structures are located directly within the villages of the Tartusi region, embedding refugees right in the heart of existing communities, rather than separating and alienating them as seen with many other refugee camps and housing. Similar to the Berlin Tempelhof refugee housing, this placement can assist in the assimilation and acclimatization process of their new surroundings.
Especially in recent years, climate change has afflicted Syria, as with the rest of the world, with unprecedented weather changes and climate events. Long periods of cold and snow, hotter summers, and exceptionally wet springs are becoming more frequent. This has made squatting and occupying open air structures unfeasible. Walls and enclosure must be constructed to shield refugees from the elements as well as simply create a comfortable atmosphere and sense of protection in their home.
High costs and inaccessibility of traditional construction materials has prevented many Syrians from building since their civil war. An extreme lack of basic services such as electricity and water and high gas prices further adds difficulty to the construction and transportation process of material. In light of this current situation, it is crucial to explore and utilize found resources from the Syrian region. The extraction, making, and implementation of these materials not only reduces construction costs but also has the potential to establish a framework or economy for Syrian laborers. A selection of materials have been chosen for their availability, and ease of construction.
High costs and inaccessibility of traditional construction materials has prevented many Syrians from building since their civil war. An extreme lack of basic services such as electricity and water and high gas prices further adds difficulty to the construction and transportation process of material. In light of this current situation, it is crucial to explore and utilize found resources from the Syrian region. The extraction, making, and implementation of these materials not only reduces construction costs but also has the potential to establish a framework or economy for Syrian laborers. A selection of materials have been chosen for their availability, and ease of construction.
- Al Kassab: Al-Kassab is a type of reed found and harvested within the marsh lands of Syria. The weaving of al-kassab into screens is a well-known building technique which has been used for centuries. The resulting screens block sun-exposure while still allowing a breeze to enter.
- Basalt Stone: The use of basalt stone for construction in Syria dates back to the Roman empire and the Roman presence within the country (1st-2nd century AD). This heavy stone is weather resistant and impervious to moisture, and can be found within several regions in Syria.
- Rammed Earth: Rammed Earth is a common building technique that allows for a high thermal resistance, providing a more temperate environment in contrast to the hot summers and chilly winters in Syria. The material has excellent adhesion and bonding forces and can take many forms.
- Date Palm Tree: The Date Palm Tree has a large presence in the eastern portion of Syria, and, similar to bamboo, exhibits fast growth. The use of date palms for construction is not seen widely within Syria, but has been used for generations within Egypt to create structures that protect against the sun but allow for the cooling breeze to penetrate the screen. The material has a high-tensile strength and allows for simple and fast construction.
With a framework in place, the strategy of using local materials to infill existing, empty concrete structures has the potential to provide thousands of displaced families with adequate housing. These building skeletons essentially provide a blank canvas for families to organize and personalize the home as best suited to their needs. Rather than being given a standardized, sometimes sterile-feeling unit with the task of making it feel like home, families are given the opportunity to be engaged in the design process to establish a sense of comfort and permanence.
The coverage of the Syrian civil war and the sense of agency from the western world diminished. The crisis, however, remains intact. Syria needs help now. Housing solutions for the short and long term are necessary in the reconstruction of a post-civil war Syria. The existing building skeletons which dot the landscape in the Tartousi region of Syria provide ample opportunity for the infill of temporary housing for internally displaced refugees. The country and area are rich with resources and found materials to create walls which shelter Syrians from the elements. Traditional construction methods, not only from Syria, but also from other regions can be implemented to employ and provide income for local craftsmen. By utilizing these building skeletons already located within villages, these projects can become a transition point to locate and integrate internally displaced persons directly into existing communities, helping them assimilate into and become accepted by the larger community.
Bibliography:
Addrario, Linsey. “Syrians Living as Outsiders, as Squatters or in Camps (Published 2013).” The New York Times. The New York Times, December 31, 2013.
Almusaed, Amjad, and Almssad, Asaad. “Building Materials in Eco-Energy Houses from Iraq and Iran.” Case Studies in Construction Materials 2 (2015): 42–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2015.02.001. “Alqasab Min Altabieat 'Iilaa Zinat Tusnae Eabr Al'Ajyal” (Reeds from Nature to Decorations Made Through Generations). YouTube. October 12, 2018. Education Video, 2:39.
Al-Sabouni, Marwa, and Scrunton, Roger. The Battle for Home: The Vision of a Young Architect in Syria . New York, NY: Thames & Hudson, 2016. Aquilino, Marie J. Beyond Shelter Architecture and Human Dignity . New York, N.Y: Metropolis Books, 2011.
Aravena, Alejandro and Iacobelli, Andres. Elemental: Incremental Housing and Participatory Design Manual . New York, NY: ARTBOOK D A P, 2016.
Ban, Shigeru. Shigeru Ban: Humanitarian Architecture . New York, NY: D.A.P./Distributed Art Publishers, 2014. Carrasco, Sandra, and David O'Brien. “Revisit: Quinta Monroy by Elemental.” Architectural Review, December 4, 2021. https://www.architectural-review.com/buildings/housing/re visit-quinta-monroy-by-elemental.
Fathy, Hassan. Architecture for the Poor : An Experiment in Rural Egypt . Vol. Pbk. ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1976. Fathy, Hassan, Walter Shearer, and Sultan, Abd-el-Rahman Ahmed. Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture: Principles and Examples with Reference to Hot Arid Climates . Chicago, IL: Published for the United Nations University by the University of Chicago Press, 1995.
Furst, David, Jon Huang, and Sergio Pecanha. “The Historic Scale of Syria's Refugee Crisis.” The New York Times. The New York Times, October 16, 2013. https://archive.nytim es.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/10/16/world/middleeast/syrian-refugee-crisisphotos. html?searchResultPosition=38.
Gurcan, Metin. “Why Turkey Is Closing down Syrian Refugee Camps.” Al-Monitor, June 3, 2019. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2019/06/turkey-syria-why-government-clo ses-down-refugee-camps.html.
“Ha Kaza Tosna’a Mazalat al-Qasab alati Nastamti’o bi-Zilaha” (This is how Sugarcane Shades are constructed, so that we can enjoy their shade). YouTube. July 1, 2018. Educational Video, 2:06.
“Humanitarian Needs Overview: Syrian Arab Republic.” OCHA, Humanitarian Programme Cycle , March 2021.
“Icy Blow to Syrian Refugees in Jordan.” The New York Times. The New York Times, January 8, 2015. https://www.nytimes.com/video/multimedia/100000003438226/icy-blow-to-sy rian-refugees-in-jordan.html?searchResultPosition=34.
“Innovation at Za'atari: How Do Refugees Make Tents and Caravans into Homes?” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, July 22, 2015. https://www.theguardian.com/gl obal-development-professionals-network/2015/jul/22/Za'atari-refugee-camp-jordan-creati vity-innovation.
Jiroudy, M. Hosam. “Re-Thinking Rural Architecture in Syria.” Angle Journal, October 1, 2012.https://anglejournal.com/article/2012-10-re-thinking-rural-architecture-in-syria-a-traditio nal-approach-to-contemporary-living/.
Kandakji, Nadia. “Earth Architecture in Syria between the Past Heritage and The Contemporary Experiences” Department of Architecture & Environmental Planning, Faculty of Engineering & Petroleum, Hadhramout University, YEMEN, December 15, 2017. https://www.tuengr.com/V08/243.pdf.
Kimmelman, Michael. “Refugee Camp for Syrians in Jordan Evolves as a Do-It-Yourself City.” The New York Times, July 5, 2014. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/05/world/m iddleeast/Za'atari-refugee-camp-in-jordan-evolves-as-a-do-it-yourself-city.html?_r=0&ut m_medium=website&utm_source=archdaily.com.
Liuzzi, Stefania, Sara Sanarica, and Pietro Stefanizzi. “Use of Agro-Wastes in Building Materials in the Mediterranean Area: A Review.” Energy Procedia 126 (September 2017): 242–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.08.147.
Namias, Olivier. “Half a Good Home Isn't Enough.” Le Monde Diplomatique, April 1, 2016. https://mondediplo.com/2016/04/14architecture.
Neira, Juliana. “Georges Batzios Proposes an Entirely Straw-Made Cultural Center in Greece.” designboom, March 2, 2017. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/georges-batzio s-architects-agro-topos-cultural-center-06-16-2016/.
“'No Time to Waste': Water Crisis Hits Iraq and Syria.” Al Jazeera, August 23, 2021. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/23/water-crisis-and-drought-threaten-12-millionin- syria-iraq. no response.
Onishi, Norimitsu. “Scattered by War, Syrians Struggle to Start Over.” The New York Times. The New York Times, October 16, 2013. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/world/ middleeast/scattered-by-war-syrian-family-struggles-to-start-over.html.
Piesik, Sandra. Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Planet . London: Thames & Hudson, 2017.
Razavivand Fard, Haniyeh, and Mehan, Asma. “Adaptive Reuse of Abandoned Buildings for Refugees: Lessons from European Context.” Essay. In Suspended Living in Temporary Space , 188–97. Lettera Ventidue, January 2018.
Redvers, Louise. “Getting It Right for Syrian Refugees the Second Time Round.” The New Humanitarian, April 16, 2019. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2013/10/ 16/getting-it-right-syrian-refugees-second-time-round.
Rothuizen, Jan, Martijn van Tol, and Aart Jan van der Linden. Refugee Republic. Submarine Channel. Accessed November 30, 2021. https://refugeerepublic.submarinechannel.com/in tro_en.php?o=o.
Rukiye Cetin, Salah Haj Ismail, and Morishita, Naom`. “Pre-Design of Transitional Rural Housing for Syria with Recycled Rubble from Destroyed Buildings.” IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 245 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1088/1757- 899x/245/8/082024.
Shannan, Sangar; Salih, Youssif; Qadr, Kayfi Maghdid and McGee, Thomas. Reclaiming Home: The Struggle for Socially Just Housing, Land and Property Rights in Syria, Iraq and Libya . Edited by Hannes Baumann. Bonn, DE: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's Regional Project, 2019.
Sinclair, Cameron. Design like You Give A Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises . Edited by Kate Stohr. London,: Metropolis books, 2007.
Soguel, D. (2018, December 10). No Haven from Hardship: Why Some Syrians Return from Europe . The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved November 2, 2021, from https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2018/1210/No-haven-from-hardship-Why-so me-Syrians-return-from-Europe.
Stevens, Philip. “Sandra Piesik Constructs a Food Shelter Using Palm Leaves.” designboom, October 25, 2017. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/sandra-piesik-3-ideas -ltd-food-shelter-the-sabla-al-ain-unesco-03-27-2015/.
“Stone Building SYSTEM: Aga Khan Development Network.” Aga Khan Development Network. Accessed September 25, 2021. https://www.akdn.org/architecture/project/stonebuilding- system.
“Syrian Refugee Camps Hit by Snowstorm and Freezing Cold.” BBC News. Accessed October 6, 2021. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/25349368.
Vignal, Leïla. “Destruction-in-Progress: Revolution, Repression and War Planning in Syria (2011 Onwards).” Built Environment 40, no. 3 (October 19, 2014): 326–41. https://doi.org/10.2148/benv.40.3.326.
Vignal, Leïla. War-Torn the Unmaking of Syria, 2011-2021 . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2021.
Vohra, Anchal. “Syria Sanctions Inflict Suffering as Al-Assad Regime Marches On.” Al Jazeera, January 16, 2021. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/16/is-syrias-sanctions-hurtin g-the-population-more-than-the-regime.
Webster, Roger M. “THE BEDOUIN IN SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN ARABIA The Evolution of Bedouin Life Reconsidered.” Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 22 (July 1991).