Urban Informality and Property Rights in Istanbul

This research, led by Ebru Soytemel at the Institute for Science, Innovation and Society (InSIS),  explores recent urban policies and their implementations on the property rights in Istanbul.  It explores urban policy implementations on the housing market in Istanbul. It investigates 1- how urban transformation projects affect the property ownership structure in informal housing areas 2- what are the tactics and strategies generated by different individuals (property owners and tenants) against public authorities and property developers 3- whether implementations of the urban policies contribute to the processes of informalisation and social -spatial polarisation in Istanbul.

As a case study, this research examines The Fikirtepe Urban Transformation Project (FUTP) –the so-called ‘Manhattan Istanbul’ Project in Istanbul. Fikirtepe is one of the oldest squatter housing neighbourhoods of Istanbul located at Kadikoy district at the Anatolian side of the city.  It has population of approximately 50.000 people. In January 2012, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) announced a new large scale urban transformation project for Fikirtepe neighbourhood in Istanbul and agreed to resolve property rights and construction rights with more tailor-made solutions by offering extra construction rights. The entire neighbourhood is planned to be demolished following the agreements between the property owners and private real estate firms. This research examines dispositions of different groups in the field of housing and explores the negotiation processes between home owners and real estate firms. Furthermore  it  scrutinizes the impact of the FUTP on tenants by investigating the role of different actors during the displacement and eviction processes of tenants.