Towards a Paradigm Shift for Refugee Camps. Rethinking emergency solutions through informality

Established in 2012 on Jordan’s northern border, the Zaatari refugee camp is an emblematic example of an informal settlement created as a result of forced migration flows. Initially conceived as a temporary solution to an emergency, it quickly grew into a stable community. Its development highlights the tensions between temporariness and stability, between institutional interventions and informal practices. The transition from UNHCR-provided tents to more stable struc- tures, the establishment of infrastructure, and the development of a spontaneous local economy demonstrate how temporary settlements tend to stabilize over time, underscoring the importance of adopting adaptive models to deal with humanitarian crises.