IN-PERSON Barcelona Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

In the face of growing forced migration and climate-related displacement, cities are increasingly challenged to provide immediate, adaptable, and dignified housing. This study examines the architectural potential of transforming existing buildings and constructing temporary support facilities to address the urgent and evolving spatial needs of displaced populations. Drawing on qualitative research conducted in Wrocław, Poland, after the 2022 refugee influx, the analysis explores the lived experience of residents in collective accommodation centres. In-depth interviews with aid providers and displaced individuals revealed key challenges related to functionality, spatial rigidity, lack of privacy, and inadequate environmental conditions. These findings are translated into architectural strategies for improving the design of temporary housing through small-scale, modular typologies. Using the example of three prototype housing models – Styrofoam Housing System (SHS), Furniture Housing System (FHS), and CLT House – the study explores how architectural design can better reflect evolving user needs and enable functional reconfiguration over time. Their spatial layouts and transformation scenarios serve as comparative tools for evaluating how temporary structures can be adapted, stored, reused, or repurposed to extend their lifecycle and reduce environmental impact. By combining user experience with sustainable design principles, this research proposes a framework for designing flexible, small-scale housing that responds to shifting social needs. It contributes to broader debates on livable cities by foregrounding adaptive, resource-efficient strategies for housing provision in times of crisis.