Evaluating urban diversity practices of local municipalities in İstanbul: a case study of Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu and Fatih Municipalities

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi, Mimarlık, Şehir Ve Bölge Planlaması, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2018

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: Semahat Ceren SAY

Danışman: Başak Demireş Özkul

Özet:

Cities are the most important places where urban diversity comes into forefront as diverse groups are encountered mostly in urban areas. Socially, economically or demographically diverse groups come together in cities. Cities are becoming more diverse than ever in recent decades. Istanbul has a diverse character dating back to Ottoman Empire Period. In that period minorities were located in the city with a great tolerance. However, with the emergence of nation state the city started to loose its diverse characteristic with decreases in minority population. But, the city  becoming more diverse now, as a result of increasing migration flows in recent decades. In this regard also the responsibilites of the local municipalities increase to cope with the increased diversity. The main aim of the research is to understand the perceptions of the local municipalities towards diversity and to evaluate the success of local municipalities in addressing diversity in Istanbul.  The best way to evaluate the practices in local municipality is seen as using a case study method to gain in-depth knowledge by comparing different municipalities in Istanbul. Also Eurocities “Integrating Cities” projects (Implementoring, Mixities,Dive,etc.) are affected for choosing the case study method for this study as in this studies the case study method also used to evaluate successful diversity practices in European cities. As the study wants to evaluate and compare the perceptions and success of local municipalities in terms of diversity, three district municipalities in Istanbul were chosen for the cases of the study as district municipalities are most significant elements of local administration as diverse groups are encountered in cities and as a result of this, conflicts and need of these diverse group better understand at local level.  Also people are reprensted directly and could participate to the decision making process at local level. Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu and Fatih Municipalities were chosen as the cases of the study. To evaluate the success of diversity practices first looked to strategic plans, performance and activity reports of the municipalities. Then in-depth interviews were made with the employees in these municipalities