In the context of escalating global conflicts and other natural disasters, the number of displaced people has begun to strain the capacities of many cities worldwide. In particular, the challenge of accommodating the large number of internally displaced people (IDPs) is often overlooked. Municipalities are not only overburdened but are sometimes not willing to address aligned challenges such as providing housing, infrastructure and social services. Instead, informal building activities have filled the void left by an absent or incapable state.
Damascus City Region is a case in point. In recent years, the civil war and its conflict resulted in severe internal displacement in Syria. Many found refuge in parts of the already dynamically transforming Damascus City Region. Jaramana is exemplary for such an area. Between 2000 and 2025 Jaramana has experienced continuous population influx. About half of the population is made up of internally displaced people (IDPs). The growth has led to informal urbanization and reshaped Jaramana’s urban morphology, building practices, and social dynamics. Increasing population from different backgrounds led to further modifications in the built environment and created a complex social network. Moreover, these urban areas have contributed to their inclusion in the city. However, in other cases they have been a cause of exclusion.
This research aims to investigate how informal settlements in Jaramana have transformed under the influence of internal displacement. It seeks to understand the spatial and social changes that occur when displaced populations integrate into pre-existing informal urban environments. The study also aims to explore how everyday practices, building processes, and social interactions shape and reshape the built environment in the absence of proper formal planning systems. Ultimately, the research aspires to contribute new insights into the relationship between displacement and informal urbanism from an urban planning perspective grounded in lived experience.
