Exploring the Role of Common Pool Resources and (Mal)Coping in Socio-Environmental Dynamics: A Case Study of the Kutupalong Refugee Camp, Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper explores the intricate dynamics of refugee camps through an interdisciplinary lens, merging qualitative social research with supplementary insights from remote-sensing techniques. Unlike the traditional perception of refugee camps as temporary entities, they are seen as dynamic social and environmental ecosystems where changes in the social and ecological spheres are interconnected and co-evolved. Focusing on the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, this study examines interactions between environmental change and social dynamics. The paper assesses how natural resources shape emerging new forms of Integrated Socio-Ecological Systems within refugee camps and their surroundings. It offers insights into effective resource management strategies that foster resilience and sustainability in such environments.