SDZ Alliance Publications
The SDZ Alliance were collaborators in the 2022 World Economic Forum side event “SDG Lab” in Davos, Switzerland and contributed articles to the conference book “Cities, Not Camps” The SDZ Alliance does not endorse all views in the book. The founders contributed on pages 40-56.
SDZ Concept Proposal
This overview of the SDZ concept covers their context, precedents, benefits, administrative framework, development strategies, and location ideas.
SDZ Governance, Land-Value Capture, and Development
In this paper written for the conference book “Cities, Not Camps” for the SDG Lab side event to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (2022), Joachim Rücker and Michael Castle-Miller cover the basic structure of SDZ land use and governance.
Ethiopia SDZ Proposal
The SDZ Alliance founders developed this detailed Ethiopian SDZ proposal under assignment with UN-HABITAT.
Africa: From Crisis to Opportunity
The SDZ Alliance founders produced this proposal for the Chancellor of Austria on using SDZs as solutions for managing change and migration in Africa.
Establishing Sustainable Development Zones in Libya
The attached summary proposal in English and Arabic describes the SDZ Alliance’s work to develop SDZs as “Islands of Stability” to rebuild Libya.
Media About SDZs
Migrant CIties Instead of Refugee Camps
In this article, Günter Nooke discusses sustainable development zones and recommends a UN Mission and Interim Administration in Libya, if stakeholders agree. (Translated from German)
SDZs highlighted by the Expert Council of German Foundations
The Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration discusses SDZs as a new and interesting concept which should be explored in its Annual Report.
Austrian Neos Party Supporting SDZs
Austria’s liberal party “Neos” has included the SDZ idea in their program for the national elections. See also Neos deputy Stephanie Krisper’s advocacy piece supporting SDZs.
Kilian Kleinschmidt: “All cities are refugee camps”(VIDEO)
To Kilian Kleinschmidt, cities are places of hope and protection. Historically cities were the places where people went to gather together and be safe. That is why for him, in a way, all cities are refugee camps.
New Conditions - Kilian Kleinschmidt
Cities of Arrival – Integrated urban and private sector responses to migrants and refugees
By Giulia Maci, San Bilal, Anna Knoll, and Eva Dick. Published by The European Think Tanks Group: “This note argues for an improved humanitarian response to displacement that would see humanitarians working directly with local authorities and engaging with the private sector.” SDZs are recommended on p. 6.
Rethinking the Refugee Crisis (AUDIO)
From Euromoney – a series examining how sustainable finance solutions may help us address the crisis our planet faces.
Global Ethics Forum: New Paradigms for Refugee Camps and Humanitarian Aid with Kilian Kleinschmidt
Migrants to fellow citizens
By Kilian Kleinschmidt and Joachim Rücker: “We urgently need a new approach for millions of people who have fled persistent violence, natural disasters or extreme poverty to more or less neighboring cities and countries.” (German)
Can free zones fix the global refugee crisis?
fDi interview with Michael Castle-Miller: “Jordan is definitely a step in the right direction and a major breakthrough from the status quo of humanitarian response to a development-based solution to refugee crises,” says Michael Castle-Miller.
“Mayors Will Rule the World” (Video/Text)
BMW Foundation video and interview with Kilian Kleinschmidt: “Kilian Kleinschmidt managed one of the biggest refugee camps in the world. Now the German development expert wants to build big cities in Somalia, Libya, and other places so that migrants can find jobs at home and no longer have to leave their countries.”
corporAID Interview With Michael Castle Miller
Refugee camps are the "cities of tomorrow", says humanitarian-aid expert
Governments should stop thinking about refugee camps as temporary places, says Kilian Kleinschmidt in this Dezeen interview.
Refugee Cities – Michael Castle Miller
Refugee Cities Can Unleash Economic Progress
From the Pacific Council on International Policy, by Michael Castle Miller: “[Refugee Cities] offer countries with major refugee populations a designated space designed to overcome the obstacles to economic growth for both displaced people and host communities.”
How Bidibidi Uganda Refugee Camp Became a City
“In Uganda, a unique urban experiment is underway. The world’s second-largest refugee camp is slowly but surely transforming into a permanent city.” This story appeared in the April 2019 issue of National Geographic magazine.
Humanitarian experts propose turning refugee camps into enterprise zones called "refugee cities"
Dezeen article on Refugee Cities as a model alternative to typical refugee camps. "The aims of the project are to expand opportunities for migrants and to thereby allow them to find dignity, meaning, and a social and economic future," Michael Castle Miller told Dezeen.
Jordan Experiment Spurs Jobs for Refugees
From Atlantic Council: “This week, a deal was finalized between the E.U. and Jordan granting sought-after trade concessions in exchange for work opportunities for refugees.” (This article originally appeared on Refugees Deeply.)
Canvas cities: Does the world need a new model for refugee camps?
From the Christian Science Monitor: “Camps are turning into permanent enclaves, with schools, courts, and cinemas. Everyone wants displaced people to go home; making long-term plans for housing and governance implies they never will.”
Sustainable Development Zones – Wie wir Migration und Urbanisierung verknüpfen sollten
Dr. Joachim Rücker calls “for a new model that will enable cities to reduce the complexity of migration and urbanization by creating a new type of special economic zone with a pronounced social dimension.”
NGO-Gründer: "Flüchtlinge stehlen keine Arbeitsplätze"
From Der Standard: NGO founder Michael Castle Miller argues that "refugees do not steal jobs." (German)
Städte statt Camps: Migration als Entwicklungschance? (Video)
From the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg course on Safe Passage – Safe Harbours? – Video 1 (German).
Städte statt Camps: Migration als Entwicklungschance? (Video)
From the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg course on Safe Passage – Safe Harbours? – Video 2 (German).
Raus aus dem Flüchtlingslager
From Der Standard: As an alternative to camps comes the idea of refugee cities where refugees are allowed to work. The EU has already taken the first step. (German)
Lieber vor Ort
From corporAID: Pragmatic Solutions for On-Site Help. (German)