Homeless Encampment: An Analysis of Tent Village 3

Michael Joseph Hankinson

Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee:
Iain Robertson

2001

Temporary encampments exist as an alternative to homelessness in the city of Seattle, Washington. The thesis goal is to examine how a temporary homeless encampment can be an appropriate response to homelessness, based on conclusions drawn from observations and interviews at Tent Village 3 and a literature review, suggesting reasons why a thoughtful spatial design will meet or not meet the needs of people residing at a homeless encampment. To accomplish this, the literature review examines the spatial theories drawn from anthropology, psychology, and design: Prospect and Refuge theory, Defensible Space, Perception of Social and Personal Space, and Restorative Environments are discussed.

Generally, this thesis focuses on the spatial issues of site planning for homeless encampments and illustrates how theories about prospect and refuge, patterns of spatial use, and human perceptions of space, in addition to resident's desires, all play an important role in the proper design of an encampment that balances the quality of life for residents with institutional health and safety spatial requirements.

Finally, this thesis articulates how psychological and physical security needs of homeless people may be as important to their well being as basic food and shelter requirements describing how issues including security, privacy, and culture play an important role in the success of an encampment.