The Role of Sustainable Design in the Current Refugee Crisis

Abstract

This research paper discusses the question to which extent sustainable design by female designers can help mitigate humanitarian hardship caused by a refugee crisis. To examine this question, four sustainable design projects will be analyzed with respect to their ability to meet refugees’ needs and the extent of their sustainability. After the presentation of the designs, several questions will be addressed. Specifically, the economic feasibility and effectiveness of the solutions in targeting issues that arise with a refugee crisis will be evaluated. The paper recognizes limitations of the presented designs in terms of providing structural, macro-level solutions to a refugee crisis. It then concludes by acknowledging the overall potential of sustainable innovation in relieving humanitarian hardship caused by a refugee crisis.