Bjarke Ingels Group Launches Refugee Cities Infrastructure
The initiative aims to transition refugee settlements into sustainable economic hubs through modular housing and development.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Construction
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Bjarke Ingels Group and to.org have launched the Refugee Cities infrastructure project to replace temporary aid models with long-term, scalable economic planning. Construction has already begun on a single-family housing prototype in Uganda.
Why it matters
The project seeks to address the long-term needs of displaced populations by providing permanent infrastructure and economic opportunities. By incentivizing companies to locate production in these settlements, the model aims to foster self-sufficiency rather than relying on short-term aid.
The global refugee population is projected to reach 1.2 billion by 2050, up from current levels of displacement. The initiative specifically targets the issue of long-term settlement, where residents often stay in camps for an average of two decades.
The players
Bjarke Ingels Group
An internationally recognized architecture firm known for large-scale, sustainable, and experimental building designs.
to.org
A humanitarian organization focused on developing scalable solutions for environmental and social crises.
The details
The infrastructure model utilizes modular construction to create family units clustered into neighborhoods and districts that include shared markets and training facilities. It requires host nations to provide regulatory flexibility and legal work rights to support the integration of these zones into the local economy.
Timeline
The Refugee Cities infrastructure project was officially launched on October 29, 2026.
Global refugee populations are projected to reach 1.2 billion by 2050.
Market Landscape
This initiative represents a significant departure from traditional humanitarian models by treating refugee settlements as sites for permanent infrastructure development. It positions these zones as competitive regions for corporate production, shifting the focus from aid dependency to economic development.
For residents and businesses, the success of this model depends on the legal work rights and regulatory shifts granted by host nations. This project could eventually create new, accessible markets for manufacturing and trade in regions previously designated only for emergency housing.
The takeaway
Sustainable settlement design focuses on integrating displaced families into local economies rather than isolating them in temporary camps. Long-term stability for refugees requires the alignment of infrastructure investment with favorable legal frameworks for labor.
Further reading
Learn more about modern infrastructure development in the Construction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wallpaper*.
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Should private institutional investment lead efforts to provide long-term housing for refugees?
