REFUGEE CAMP CITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST: A CHALLENGE FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to project the problem of policy formulation in relation to the urban-type refugee camps. An analysis of refugee camps, demographic features and their relatedness to urban policies is made in the context of the 40-year old problem of Palestinian Arab refugees and the position of states which host nearly one million expatriates. The refugee camps - as temporary cities - are viewed as communities, where the population, institutions, services, the network of social relations and economic-political structures have a transitory status until more a permanent order and normal living patterns are established. In spite of the problems encountered by camp dwellers - such as attacks and Israeli military bombardment and restrictions imposed by host states - nonetheless a high degree of solidarity, team-work and collective spirit is readily demonstrated. Urban policy formulation is treated in the light of future prospects for a settlement of the Palestinian issue.