The Vertical Refuge. A critical exploration of the vertical dimension in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon

Abstract

This paper explores what we called ‘Vertical Refuge’ in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, challenging the traditional view of camps as flat, horizontal spaces. It introduces a poly-dimensional framework that examines verticality not only in terms of height and depth but also in relation to territorial politics, sovereignty, and other spatial dimensions. By uncovering the complex power dynamics between Palestinian refugees, Palestinian factions, Lebanese state actors, para-state actors, and their proxies, the paper argues that vertical spaces in these camps are not simply responses to spatial constraints or issues of height and power. Instead, they reflect broader political, social, and territorial negotiations. Through an analysis of the camps in Dbayeh and Ein al-Hilweh, the study reveals how verticality is shaped by forces of power, sovereignty, and control. By adopting this poly-dimensional approach, the paper offers fresh perspectives on camp studies, positioning refugee camps within the framework of the ‘vertical turn’ in political geography. It contributes to ongoing debates surrounding space, power, and sovereignty in contested territories, while expanding the conceptualization of verticality to challenge the linearity of traditional geographical and architectural understandings of camps.