Ankara Araştırmaları Dergisi (Dec 2019)
A Spatial Appropriation of the Exterior Space of Housing Units of Immigrant Neighbourhoods: The Case of “Little Halep,” Önder Neighbourhood, Ankara
Abstract
Due to the civil war, Turkey has allowed in refugees from Syria since 2011. While some of these refugees have subsequently moved on to other European countries; most of them have settled in Turkish cities such as Hatay, Şanlıurfa, Adana, Ankara, and Istanbul. Consequently, the issues of integration of the refugees and the preparation of the cities for mass migration movement has became a pertinent issue. The aim of this article is to investigate the urban and interior appropriations made by Syrian refugees as part of the process of sociospatial integration in their settlements. In accordance with this objective, the appropriations of Syrians’ settlements in the neighborhood of Önder are examined in terms of how refugees have brought their culture and how it is reflected in their everyday life experiences within their environments. Therefore, the pre-war life of refugees in Syria is analyzed to be able to identify spatial similarities and differences between their lifestyles. In this study, observations on site; unofficial interviews with neighborhood representatives and refugees living in Önder; as well as literary and visual research is conducted to better understand Syrians’ lifestyle and its spatial reflections in their countries. The pre-war and current living conditions of Syrians are compared, based on the visuals and literary research conducted in the data gathering process. This is later interpreted and used as the foundation of the case study. According to the findings of the study, Syrians in Önder, whose population is increasing, have transformed their environment to a place where they can maintain their everyday life and lifestyle. It can be seen that transformations in outdoor environments, created by their own initiativeand labors, has proved effective in this process. Furthermore, it is expected that this study will determine the strategies for adapting housing needs caused by migration in the urban planning processes, as well as remind us that socio-spatial integration is part of the regulations of refugees’ housing. A further aim is to contribute to the development of housing policies that meet the requirements for refugee accommodation.
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