Maze or Labyrinth: Identifying PTSD Stressors in the Built Space of Zaatari and Calais Refugee Camps

Abstract

In this study, we analyze the structure of paths within two refugee camps (Calais, France, and Zaatari, Jordan) as a preliminary study examining posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stressors within such camps. We do so through a geospatial analysis of intersections and viewsheds within the camps. Given that anxiety, and the avoidance associated with it, is a primary characteristic of PTSD, refugees might prefer built environments with fewer stressors or anxiety triggers. This study provides a baseline for analyzing basic stressors in a way to test whether design supports anxiety-based avoidance. The planned structure of Zaatari shows a high prevalence of spatial PTSD stressors with lower visibility and a more maze-like structure than that of Calais. This suggests a coping strategy taken by refugees to produce a more suitable and less stressing labyrinth structure. To properly treat PTSD in geographical space, we suggest a need for consideration of this in the planning, function, and very existence of refugee camps and settlements.

我们于本文中, 分析两大难民营 (法国的加莱与约旦的扎塔里) 中的路径结构, 作为检视这些难民营中的创伤后压力症候群(PTSD) 压力源之先导研究。我们通过难民营中的相互交织性与视野的地缘空间分析进行上述研究。有鉴于不安与逃避不安是 PTSD 的主要徵状, 难民可能偏好较少压力源或挑动不安之物的建成环境。本研究提供分析基础压力源的底线, 以检建成环境验设计是否支持避免不安。扎塔里的规划结构显示空间 PTSD 压力源的高度盛行, 并较加莱拥有较低的可视性和更类似迷宫的结构。这也指出难民为了生产更为舒适且较不着重迷宫般的结构所採取的应对策略。为了合宜地应对地理空间中的PTSD, 我们主张必须在难民营与安置所的规划、运作及其存在中考量上述问题。

En este trabajo analizamos la estructura de rutas dentro de dos campos de refugiados (Calais, Francia, y Zaatari, Jordania) a manera de estudio preliminar que examina los elementos estresantes que intervienen en el desorden de estrés postraumático (PTSD) al interior de tales campos. Adelantamos tal cometido por medio de análisis geoespacial de intersecciones y miradores en los campos. Dada tal ansiedad, y la prevención asociada con la misma, como característica primaria del PTSD, los refugiados podrían preferir entornos construidos con muchos menos elementos estresantes o generadores de ansiedad. El estudio provee un punto de referencia para analizar los elementos estresantes básicos como forma de probar si el diseño soporta una prevención basada en ansiedad. La estructura planeada para Zaatari muestra una alta prevalencia de estresores PTSD espaciales con visibilidad más baja y una estructura de aspecto más laberíntico que la de Calais. Tal cosa sugiere una estrategia de afrontamiento de los refugiados para producir una estructura de laberinto más adecuada y menos estresante. Para tratar apropiadamente el PTSD en el espacio geográfico, sugerimos la necesidad de consideración de eso en la planificación, función y la propia existencia de los campos y asentamientos de refugiados.

Key Words:

• built space
• geospatial analysis
• mental health
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• refugees

关键词:

• 建成空间, 地理空间分析, 心灵健康, 创伤后压力症候群, 难民。

Palabras clave:

• espacio construido, análisis geoespacial, salud mental, desorden de estrés postraumático, refugiados

Acknowledgments

We thank both Dr. Leila Hudson of the University of Arizona's College of Middle Eastern and North African Studies and Garrett Smith, MA, of the UA Arid Lands Resources PhD program for assistance in editing and revision.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Samuel N. Chambers

SAMUEL N. CHAMBERS is an Assistant Research Scientist in the College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture at The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719. E-mail: [email protected]. His research interests include the spatial analysis of the drivers, patterns, and obstructions of movement and migration in relation to infrastructure.

W. Jake Jacobs

W. JAKE JACOBS is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Anxiety Research Group at The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721. E-mail: [email protected]. His research interests include spatial cognition and interactions among hot emotional states, cool cognitive states, and neutral automatic states.

Casey Lindberg

CASEY LINDBERG is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Institute on Place and Wellbeing at The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724. E-mail: [email protected]. His research interests include design solutions for the dissimilar effects the built environment has on people due to individual differences.