Land disputes on the outskirts of Istanbul: a unique case of legalization amidst demolitions and forced evictions

Cabannes Y., Goral O. S.

ENVIRONMENT AND URBANIZATION, cilt.32, sa.1, ss.69-88, 2020 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 32 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2020
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/0956247819893187
  • Dergi Adı: ENVIRONMENT AND URBANIZATION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Aerospace Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Index Islamicus, Metadex, PAIS International, Political Science Complete, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.69-88
  • İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

This paper focuses on struggles for land by ordinary people in globalizing cities. By drawing on three cases in Istanbul, it explores the circumstances under which these struggles can be successful. It analyses the evolution of the self-built settlements of Ayazma, Yakacik and Hurriyet and their varied outcomes, from legalization to razing. Three conditions seem to explain why land titling was obtained in Yakacik and proved impossible elsewhere. One is specific to land ownership. The second reason revolves around the mediating role and political commitment of a district municipality, primarily through the engagement of one of its decision-makers in favour of poor residents. The third reason relates to the nature and form of Yakacik residents' mobilization and organizations. All of these conditions are essential; none is sufficient individually. The difficulty of bringing all these conditions together at one time and in one place explains the exceptional nature of the case in point.