Livelihood Reports Al Amrikeya Area - Final Assessment | Page 194
Figure 71: Redevelopment of Bhadra Precinct- Plans before (up) and after (down) upgrading intervention (Source: worldar-
chitecture.org)
5.1.2 CASE STUDIES OF SOCIAL
INTEGRATION BETWEEN HOST
AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES-
One of the central objectives of this study is to
better understand refugee-host relations within
the Al-Amrikiyya Area in order to devise strate-
gies for community cohesion. It is important,
foremost, to place this dynamic within a global
context of similar scenarios that can provide ac-
counts of success stories and suitable practices.
In Egypt as well as internationally, it has been
cited that the majority of Syrian refugees have
come to reside in cities instead of camps. Over
80% of those reside in urban areas by choice
in an attempt to avoid the sometimes impris-
oning camps for their lack of connectedness
and caps on mobility and resources. What the
city can offer in the terms of economic and em-
ployment opportunity, education and social
ties entice the resettled to become active and
productive members of their communities on
the road to self-sufficiency. The assumption,
made by many governments, that camp-dwell-
ing encourages refugees to leave or return to
their homelands sooner has also been trumped
by recent findings. As most refugees are look-
ing to make financial gains and improve their
standards of living before they are able to make
the transition to another place, urban areas
are more likely to provide them with greater
opportunities for employment and monetary
enhancement. Recent research therefore sug-
gests that refugee assistance efforts are direct-
ed towards those residing in towns and cities
if they are to effectively support refugee lives.
Similarly, those who have been resettled to
urban areas have, in general, reported better
satisfaction with standards of living and overall
health and wellbeing.
5.1 | Best Practices From Similar Areas
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