Planning for forced displacement in chronic conflict zones between temporary camps and permanent settlements? The case of Kurdistan region of Iraq

In order to understand the role of planning for forced displacement in chronic conflict zones and develop a more elaborate framework for spatial interventions, the research takes as a case study for planning for forced displacement in chronic conflict zones. The focus is on using camps and settlements to manage and control waves of displacement since the decolonization of Iraq and the autonomy agreement in 1970.2 In the selected period, the short intervals between conflicts and stability, waves of displaced persons and the continuous presence of aid-development actors have been continuously shaping the region’s urban landscapes. The main question of this research is: What are the spatial roles and impacts of using “Camps” and “Settlement” to absorb and manage forced displacement waves in chronic conflict zones such as the Kurdistan Region of Iraq?