Dr. Suchi Bhattacharjee, Dr. Chie Noyori-Corbett, and Ph.D. candidate Salma Akter have collaborated on a chapter titled “Sheltering Hope: Navigating the Nexus of Refugee Housing Conditions and Well-Being”, featured in the book Migration and Forced Displacement - Vulnerability and Resilience - Volume 2. This work examines the intricate relationship between housing conditions and the physical and mental well-being of refugees, both in temporary shelters and during post-resettlement.
Dr. Chie Noyori-Corbett serves as Associate Director of Research at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work. Dr. Suchi Bhattacharjee is Associate Dean of Academic and College Administration for Gibbs College, as well as an associate professor and graduate liaison in the Division of Interior Design. Salma Akter is a Ph.D. candidate at the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture.
The chapter emphasizes housing as a critical social determinant of health and well-being, recognized as a fundamental right under the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Drawing on existing literature, the authors explore key challenges faced by refugees, such as overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and instability in both camp settings and resettlement environments. They also examine the broader concept of “healthy housing,” which encompasses not only shelter but also factors like safety, privacy, and psychological well-being, all of which are essential for fostering social integration and stability.
By integrating findings from global studies, the chapter discusses barriers to housing affordability and stability, including discrimination, high rental costs, and limited access to public housing. It also highlights the importance of community integration, placemaking, and inclusive housing policies in promoting a sense of identity and belonging among refugees. Practical recommendations include improving access to affordable housing, enhancing support services, and fostering transparent and accountable housing systems.
The University of Oklahoma College of Architecture is proud to announce that Model Schools in the Model City, authored by Director of the Institute for Quality Communities, Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., has been named one of ten finalists for the 2026 ASALH Book Prize for Best New Book in African American History and Culture.
This semester, students in the LA 5535 Studio: Ecological Planning and Design, led by Prof. Afsana Sharmin, took on an ambitious hypothetical project to redesign key parts of the OU campus. Their mission: to tackle the critical real-world challenge of stormwater management through innovative green design.
Petya Stefanoff, Chair of the Educational Committee with the American Planning Association, Oklahoma Chapter (APA-OK) and Gibbs College PhD candidate, has developed a new training program for local government officials. The program, focused on land use, zoning principles, and land development, recently certified its first graduates with Certified Citizen Planner status.
