AI for Humanity:
Pioneering Inclusive Placemaking in Refugee Settlements

Asif Hasan Zeshan | Research proposal

Background: As a native of Bangladesh, a country emblematic of resilience amidst the relentless challenges posed by natural disasters, my academic journey as an architect and personal one as a human being have been deeply intertwined with the narratives of displacement and the pursuit of equitable living spaces. The seeds of this research interest were sown in the soil of Bangladesh's tumultuous history and nurtured by my proximity to the realities of refugee life. Bangladesh's history is deeply marked by the displacement of 10 million people during its 1971 liberation, including the post-liberation refuge of thousands of Pakistani natives. Raised in Mohammadpur, Dhaka- a region that has harbored approximately 25,000 Bihari refugees for over 50 years, I have witnessed the long-standing impact of such displacements. This legacy of displacement has been a constant in our social fabric, exposing stark social inequities and economic disparities among refugee populations. The challenges faced by these communities are exacerbated by restricted administrative, legal, and social frameworks. The situation intensified in 2018 with the arrival of around one million Rohingya refugees, straining Bangladesh's administrative, societal, economic, and environmental stability. This influx has led to increased crime rates, identity fraud, ecological damage, including deforestation, and the disruption of ancient elephant migration patterns. The Rohingya refugees, both individually and collectively, continue to grapple with profound challenges, as their social structures remain in constant flux amid these trying circumstances.

After graduating from Architecture school, my commitment to fostering accessible public spaces for diverse social groups led me to establish Placemaking Bangladesh in 2019, a youth-driven initiative. This endeavor was a natural progression from my undergraduate studies, where my passion for merging technology with architecture first took root. During this period, I engaged in projects that anticipated the impact of technological integration on socio-economic and urban environments. Recognizing the need to deepen my understanding of how users interact with design elements, I expanded my skill set beyond architectural training to include programming and interaction design, focusing on both digital and physical spaces. The complex challenges posed by refugees and climate crises further fueled my interest in emergent technologies, particularly their application in policy development and designing personal, social, and public spaces. This evolving interest and commitment to the practical application of knowledge guided my decision to pursue the research-oriented MS. Arch program at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where I could further explore the role of technology in architectural innovation.

In 2022, I relocated to Tucson, Arizona, to further my academic and research capabilities. My research since 2018 has primarily focused on the integration of cutting-edge technologies within architectural practices and the exploration of evolving interdisciplinary design pedagogies. This relocation has broadened my perspective on the various dimensions of the refugee crisis. Like the situation in Bangladesh, Arizona too faces the prospect of increased forced migration, not solely due to socio-economic disparities beyond borders but also because of climate change. Currently experiencing a prolonged mega-drought spanning two decades, Arizona exemplifies a region where climatic adversities could inevitably lead to displacement, foreseeably turning residents into climate refugees. Observing refugee camps in Dhaka and Cox's Bazar, alongside architectural developments in Tucson, has highlighted the intricacies involved in these environments, particularly challenging for standard AI systems to address social space accessibility in refugee contexts. This understanding forms the foundation of my research, which focuses on integrating AI to solve practical design issues, notably in creating accessible public spaces for displaced communities. The complexity of designing social spaces goes beyond mere spatial relations or urban integration; it requires consideration of cultural nuances and the ability to support organic growth. My unique position at the confluence of diverse backgrounds, skills, and academic support equips me to tackle this global issue. With appropriate funding, I believe this research can benefit not only Bangladesh but also have a far-reaching impact on similar global situations, such as those in Ukraine, the Middle East, or along the US border. The aim is to leverage AI for better living environments, cutting across geographical and cultural divides and upholding the right to dignified living spaces. This project is more than an academic endeavor; it's a personal commitment to use my experiences and insights to make a real difference in the lives of displaced individuals globally. 

This research proposal was discussed in the "GLOBAL PLACEMAKING SUMMIT 2023" in the "Refugee Placemaking Agenda"