OP STUDIO

SATELLITES

Mass migration has driven the emergence of new residential areas worldwide. While these spaces are not always formally recognized as cities, they develop unique structures shaped by their locations and the needs of the communities that inhabit them. Satellite imagery provides a consistent, objective means of tracking and analyzing this urban evolution, offering insights into the spread and formation of these “satellite cities.”

The Satellites project began with the Calais refugee camp in France, where public satellite imagery (such as Google Earth) remained outdated from 2004 to 2015 despite the camp’s significant expansion. This gap in visibility inspired us to investigate similar developments elsewhere, with a particular focus on African regions where refugee camps and informal urban settlements have been actively monitored. In countries such as Kenya, Chad, and Western Sahara, migration has led to fully functioning urban areas, often supported by international NGOs. Satellite imagery in these regions allows us to track the ongoing growth of these areas and appreciate the distinct structures that emerge.

For each location in this project, we created composite images from hundreds of high-definition screenshots, carefully stitched together to produce comprehensive, detailed representations of these "satellite cities." This research investigates the growth patterns and structural typologies of these cities, revealing unique regional differences despite common influences like UNHCR involvement. We chose to present these images in the form of a tapestry, which emphasizes the contrasting elements in the landscapes: the natural desert environment and human interventions. This technique allows us to visually highlight the two distinct layers—the desert and the refugee settlements—and the interaction between the natural world and human needs.

Through this work, we aim to grant these emerging cities a sense of visual dignity and deepen our understanding of how these spaces develop, guided by local conditions and urban planning principles.