Community Threads: Building Integration Networks for Refugee Claimants

Abstract

In recent years, the Canadian government has implemented the use of hotels as a provisional measure to address the influx of refugee claimants. Persistent global issues have resulted in prolonged stays, leading to what is termed the ‘hotelisation’ of refugee claimants. This living arrangement manifests a disconnect from normalcy and the broader community. With the lack of integration, issues of isolation arise, further affecting the mental and physical well-being of refugee claimants. Although hotels are utilised to quickly accommodate refugee claimants, this thesis asks: how can we balance urgency without compromising suitable living conditions that initiate a promising future?

The heart of the city—its neighbourhoods—is constantly changing, facing issues of gentrification and social equity. While the city of Toronto demonstrates commitment to creating inclusive neighbourhoods, there remains a notable gap in involving refugee claimants in existing strategies. An understanding of neighbourhoods through site analyses, mapping, and design precedents reveals sustainable approaches to integrate refugee claimants into the urban fabric. By emphasising the role of the community—collaborative efforts among policymakers, stakeholders, and locals—this thesis aims to redefine inclusive neighbourhoods to promote safe, suitable built environments for refugee claimants. The design proposal explores a network of interventions woven into the urban scale of neighbourhoods, encouraging local exchange and connectivity. In its entirety, this thesis argues that social infrastructure and a robust network of resources in the community is a catalyst to an easier transition to normalcy—the architecture itself cannot solve the refugee crisis, but it can however, initiate a sense of comfort and belonging.