Make yourself at home : makerspaces as a tool for resettlement and reconstruction in conflict-affected settings

Abstract

Millions of people worldwide have had their lives upended by violent conflict. In the last decade, the number of people forcibly displaced by conflict has doubled, reaching current heights of more than eighty million. Once the emergency needs of food, shelter, and medical care have been met, there is an opportunity for aid providers to assist in the resettling of populations and reconstruction of devastated cities. This study highlights the value of a recent evolution in this response to include makerspaces: communal workshops that offer access to tools and materials as well as education and sometimes even employment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with program leaders in five different locations to examine makerspaces in conflict- affected settings. Through a lens of Human Capabilities, this study shows how they contribute to the improvement of livelihoods and well-being of users and their communities. The cases studied here have been particularly beneficial for women and youth. Through a blending of new and old technologies makerspaces allow users to shape or re-shape their own surroundings and participate in their own care. They contribute to improved livelihoods through skills development and market access. Makerspaces foster community and offer notable benefits to users' mental health and notably allow for some retention and restoration of cultural heritage. Additionally, this thesis assembles the experiences of makerspace program leaders to provide expertise on the challenges and enablers of operating a makerspace for conflict-affected populations.