Syrian refugees as the victims of urban regeneration: A case study of Ankara, Önder and Ulubey neighborhoods

Abstract

The Syrian Civil War compelled vast numbers of Syrians to leave their homeland, and taking advantage of Turkey’s Open Door Policy, millions of Syrians crossed the shared border between 2011 and 2015 in search of refuge. The temporary protection nature of Turkey’s Policy for Syrians prevented the formation of comprehensive socio-spatial policies related to the provision of human rights. Regarding to the right to housing, the lack of government accommodation for refugees meant that the Syrian refugees became a part of Turkey’s existing housing problems, such as squatting and failed urban regeneration projects. The present study reveals different dimensions of housing problems that Syrian refugees encountered such as poor housing conditions, socio-spatial isolation, unaffordability, and forced mobility through the Ankara case. It is argued that living in an area in the process of urban regeneration has exacerbated these multiple housing problems. The research is based on a mixed-method including the analysis of quantitative data, questionnaire with Syrian refugees, semi-structured in-depth interviews with both Syrian refugees and key actors, and participant observations. Field study of the Önder and Ulubey neighborhoods was conducted between 2017 and 2019. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the findings, and an explanation of their potential for use in the future in urban policymaking and planning processes.