Politicized Humanitarian Architecture in Al-Hol Camp: Urban Density, Spatial Segregation, and Carceral Design in a Refugee Settlement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15377/2409-9821.2025.12.14Keywords:
Carceral urbanism, Spatial segregation, Refugee camp planning, Politicized infrastructure, Humanitarian architectureAbstract
Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria represents an exceptional case in the architecture of refugee settlements. Established in the 1990s, it dramatically expanded since 2016. Today, it hosts more than 60 nationalities, into a dense urban-like settlement while remaining tightly controlled through fences, checkpoints, and surveillance. Its governance and spatial organization distinguish it from conventional camps, showing how humanitarian aid and systems of control have become deeply intertwined in its physical design and daily operations.
The camp’s population diversity Syrians, Iraqis, and foreign nationals has produced deliberate spatial segregation, with separate sectors enforcing a fragmented socio-spatial order. This design prioritizes containment and security over integration or self-reliance, reinforcing dependency on humanitarian aid and limiting opportunities for sustainable development. This paper examines Al-Hol through three interrelated dimensions: (1) its historical development and spatial expansion; (2) its dual character as both an urban settlement and a carceral design; and (3) its function as a politicized humanitarian infrastructure shaped by regional and international agendas. The study draws on camp layouts, drone footage, and demographic data. It argues that Al-Hol exemplifies “politicized humanitarian architecture.” Here, planning decisions transform the camp into a controlled environment. This blurs the boundaries between refugee camp, city, and prison.
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