United: Dallas Refugee Integration Center
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The refugee crisis is perhaps the most pressing humanitarian concern of our time. In 2016, there were over 21 million refugees worldwide ranging from Syria to Somalia to Burma to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While efforts have been made across the world of architecture in terms of camp redevelopment, temporary shelters, and public housing, very few attempts have addressed the need of integration between these displaced people and the citizens of the foreign nations they reside in. This is quickly becoming a pressing need in Europe and the US as well, as more refugees will continue arriving for the foreseeable future and tensions between locals and their new neighbors rise as well. With people groups continuing to divide themselves and sides being taken and assigned everyday, solutions to actively unite are needed just as much as practical needs of housing. Refugees entering the United States currently go through an extensive process in order to apply for residency, arrive in the US, and maintain residency. This does not take into account the arduous and potentially traumatic experience of having to leave their home and make their way to their first port of refuge. Once they are cleared for resettlement with the US, the government works with one of the nine national resettlement agencies that operate as NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization) who become responsible for overseeing the process for the refugees. Typically, NGOs will place refugees in cities with established refugee communities, whether those be comprised of relatives, friends, or like people groups. Factors such as cost of living, medical services, and availability of education are also taken into account. However, as refugees are required to agree to reimburse the government for travel and other costs accrued, attend culture classes regarding US laws, language, health benefits, and other topics, and submit to a final security and medical evaluation. Upon arriving, usually at an airport, refugees are met by their paired resettlement agency who then provides for things such as housing, basic furnishings, food, and other immediate assistance. The first 90 days are crucial in this process. During this, the NGO works heavily with the refugee, introducing them to the local healthcare system, enrolling them in English classes, providing trauma/PTSD support, and finding schooling options and providing supplies for children. Refugees received a stipend during this period, but they are encouraged to find work quickly and the NGOs work with local employers and support the refugees in applications, resumes, and interviews. After this 90-day period, refugees still meet regularly with their paired NGO, are enrolled in things like the IRC New Roots Program, and begin the process of working to become full citizens of the US.
Subject
Architectural designRefugees--Housing
Refugees--Services for
Non-governmental organizations
mixed-use developments
Texas--Dallas
Department
ArchitectureCollections
Citation
Sheffield, William (2018). United: Dallas Refugee Integration Center. Master's thesis, Texas A & M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /199215.