Syrian refugees as ‘agents’ of urban transformation : the case of Ouzaii

Abstract

This research investigates how the Syrian displacement operates as an agency of urban transformation within the informal settlement of Ouzaii. Ouzaii is known for its strong political affiliation with Hezbollah and the tribal social ties of ashae’r. It has been a destination for multiple displaced groups over time and is currently hosting 10,000 Syrian refugees. I argue that the Syrian refugees have been ‘active agents’ in the urban transformation of Ouzaii—their socio-spatial practices are positively re-enforcing ‘practicing the public’ and contributing to the economic vitality of Ouzaii. The research adopts qualitative and quantitative methods and mainly relies on primary sources. It extensively relies on mapping, data visualization, and statistical information as analytical tools. The research uses the concept of ‘refugees hosting refugees’ by Qasmiyeh (2016a) and ‘people as infrastructures’ by Simone (2004), the economic construct of ‘mixed embeddedness’ by Kloosterman and Rath (2001), and Bayat’s (2010) notion of ‘the quiet encroachment’. It ends by learning from the tactical practices of the Syrian refugees to propose a set of ‘tactical’ interventions that consolidate these socio-spatial practices. This is intended to promote a more inclusive use of the public seashore in Ouzaii and contribute to the conversation around the public reclaim of the coastal areas of Beirut.