Many European countries are facing social dilemmas when it comes to refugee settlement. In Trastevere, Rome, near Porta Portese, a busy area currently comprised of flea market and deserted factories is proposed to host a new community of women and children refugees.

 

Refugees go through unbearable hardship to seek for safe haven. Given today's political condition, as well as cities insufficient capacity to deal with the refugee influx, most of them are abused and mistreated even after their arrival in another country. Children and women are the main target for this abuse and there are horror stories all over the media about their journey. Our goal is to help the most vulnerable children who have come here alone, as well and single women or pregnant refugees, and provide a place for them to stay, to learn, and to become part of the new community they have joined, without having the fear of being mistreated.

On top of having an on-site residence for the children and women, the site includes medical and mental health facilities, educational facilities, playgrounds, public baths, production and market place, as well as a refugee run restaurant to introduce their culture to the local community. The educational facilities include programs for both the children and the women. Children take advantage of the kindergarten and the school, and the adults participate in the language classes and extended learning programs enable them with professional skills and Independence. In addition, there are job centers and legal departments available to assist them when in need.
The medical and health facilities aim to help them with any illness that they might have had, as well as help them cope with the trauma they have gone through. This is to be done both collectively and individually through different types of therapy, music, art, meditation, consultation. The playground and the restaurant act as a mediator between the dense current residential area and the new refugee complex. This area is to be shared with both residences with the aim of joining them together. The old arsenal and area in between them is to be transformed into market place and workshop, with an exterior community garden. The row of the existing low building is also being transformed into a public baths and laundromat, where different people, whether homeless people living along the Tiber river or refugees can use them to bathe themselves and do their laundry. The empty lot in front of the arsenal is used as temporary camp lot when needed.

Program Data

Residential/ 11.5k sqm Permanent / 7.5k sqm Temporary
Conviviality/ 3k sqm
Knowledge/ 5.5k sqm
Spirituality/ 1k sqm
Production/ 3k sqm