'Urban Transformation' as State-led Property Transfer: An Analysis of Two Cases of Urban Renewal in Istanbul

• Published in: Urban studies (Edinburgh, Scotland) Vol. 47; no. 7; pp. 1479 - 1499
• Main Authors: Kuyucu, Tuna, Ünsal, Özlem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-06-2010; Longman Group; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK); Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Analysis; Asia; Bgi / Prodig; Cities; City planning; Demographics; Economic aspects; Economic liberalism; Governance; Grass roots movement; Housing; Istanbul Turkey; Land; Metropolitan areas; Neighborhoods; Neoliberalism; Political Movements; Poor; Property; Property transfers; Public housing; Redevelopment, Urban; Regional studies; Residential buildings; Resistance; Resistance movements; Slums; Social aspects; Social housing; Socioeconomic factors; Southwest Asia; Tenants; Tuna; Urban Areas; Urban development; Urban Renewal; Urban studies; Istanbul; Turkey; Istanbul Turkey; Turkey, Istanbul; Living conditions; Urban renewal; Urban regime; Urban policy; Mobilisation; Neo liberalism; Neighbourhood; Decayed neighbourhood; Land policy; Urbanism
• ISSN: 0042-0980; 1360-063X
• DOI: 10.1177/0042098009353629

Since 2001, there has been a radical shift in the governance of urban land and housing markets in Turkey from a 'populist' to a 'neo-liberal' mode. Large 'urban transformation projects' (UTPs) are the main mechanisms through which a neo-liberal system is instituted in incompletely commodified urban areas. By analysing two UTPs implemented in an informal housing zone and an inner-city slum in Istanbul, the paper discusses the motivations behind, the socioeconomic consequences of and grassroots resistance movements to the new urban regime. The analysis shows that the UTPs predominantly aim at physical and demographic upgrading of their respective areas rather than improving the living conditions of existing inhabitants, thus instigating a process of properly transfer and displacement. It also demonstrates that the properly/tenure structure of an area plays the most important role in determining the form and effectiveness of grassroots movements against the UTPs.