Sustainability, Design Futuring, and the Process of Shelter and Settlements

The need for adequate shelter and resettlement solutions for the growing number of displaced people worldwide is a problem of such magnitude that adequate solutions currently elude us. Humanitarian organisations are calling for greater engagement from experts who are able to assist with this crisis, including built environment professionals such as architects. With vague career pathways and a lack of exposure to this crucial area of practice in architects’ formative years, further education and postgraduate studies targeting humanitarian practice have only recently begun to emerge. This research reviews current literature in the areas of shelter and settlements, illustrating that the architectural profession has a responsibility to contribute towards positive resettlement outcomes for displaced populations. This paper also discusses a particular area of theory known as ‘Design Futuring’ by Tony Fry, exploring how it can provide a theoretical framework to support engagement from architects in both research and education targeting this area of practice. The paper identifies key areas of conceptual overlap including the emphasis on sustainability, shelter and design processes in favour of product thinking, and the reframing of a more collaborative and transdisciplinary approach to architectural practice. It is anticipated that this research can inform approaches to architectural education and research focusing on shelter and settlements design, representing a new area of theory-based inquiry.