EVALUATING EDUCATIONAL AND PLAY INTERVENTIONS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEE CHILDREN: A STUDY FOCUSED IN 6TH OF OCTOBER AND AL OBOUR CITIES

Abstract

Egypt has been hosting Syrian refugees in its urban areas since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011. Syrian children in Egypt have been facing several challenges in accessing basic services such as quality education, healthcare and recreation. A number of architectural interventions have been implemented for children in Egypt by humanitarian actors such as UNHCR, international and local NGOs and active members of the Syrian community to provide better educational and recreational opportunities for children. It was found through the author’s preliminary observations, that some of the implemented intervention projects seemed to be operating successfully, while other projects seemed to be dysfunctional. This research investigates the local architectural intervention projects implemented for Syrian children, particularly in 6th of October and Al Obour cities, and their impact on children’s development and psychosocial well-being and generates a set of comprehensive design considerations when establishing such spaces.