Questioning the Meaning of Place in Extended Exile: The Cases of the Balata and Jenin Refugee Camps

Abstract

Within the context of extended displacement, this research examines the meaning of 'place' as perceived by long-term Palestinian refugees residing in two prominent West Bank camps, Balata and Jenin. The study delves into the complex dynamics of place within the context of protracted exile. Using a robust constructivist grounded theory approach, it enables theoretical revelations to surface from empirical evidence collected in the field. Fieldwork was performed, employing a mixed-methods strategy that incorporates a Likert scale questionnaire and in-depth interviews with three different generations of displaced individuals. Despite the crises induced by forced displacement and its influence on place identity, the research illuminates the ability to form place attachments to these temporary settlements. Notably, this attachment is unique in its dependence on memories and connections to a lost homeland rather than the physical attributes of the current living environment. The findings of the study contribute to the theoretical exploration of place attachment, place identity, and place dependence, specifically in contexts of extended displacement. Moreover, the insights derived from the research have practical implications for the management and planning strategies within such refugee settlements.