Urban Transformation and Gentrification from the Perspective of Different Stakeholders: The Case of Ankara, Yenimahalle Mehmet Akif Ersoy Neighborhood

Abstract

Urban transformation projects have been implemented throughout Turkey, especially in metropolitan cities, for many years to reuse the idle areas of cities. Neoliberal policies affect many areas and also affect cities and urban transformation policies in Turkey. In this context, it is possible to note that social disintegration with the concern of investment and where equal benefits are not observed during the urban transformation process. To investigate this situation, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Neighborhood, which was implemented in 2010 in Ankara Yenimahalle district, was examined. This project was realized in cooperation with Yenimahalle municipality and the private sector (YDA construction company). YDA Park Avenue Residences, which were built in the region because of urban transformation, deeply affected the social and economic dynamics of the region. This has negatively affected the living standards of the residents of the region. In addition, leaving Mehmet Akif Ersoy Residences allocated to the people of the region lacking in many services has already been insufficient in terms of providing any contribution that will raise the living standards of the people of the region whose lifestyles have changed. Through this research, it has tried to determine the social and economic outputs of urban transformation by making interviews with the participants who live in both sites and use the social facilities in the region. During the research process, the framework of the research was created with the literature research, and then the primary data were obtained with a semi-structured interview. The sample selection during the research process varied according to the research regions. The snowball sampling method was followed in YDA Park Avenue Residences and Mehmet Akif Ersoy Residences. Thanks to this method, it has become easier to reach the former squatter owners, who are among the residents of the region, especially in Mehmet Akif Ersoy Residences. A random sampling method was used to reach the individuals who use the YDA Park Avenue’s public facilities, which is the third group of the research. The research process was continued until the saturation point and a total of 48 people were interviewed. The urban transformation project is generally considered unsuccessful by the participants. The former squatter owners, who are the first addressees of the urban transformation, define the purpose of the transformation as an investment. For this reason, they describe the new lifestyle offered to them as a modern shantytown. For the participants who moved to the region after the urban transformation, the transformation project is quite successful due to the location of the region. However, they also add that the transformation should take place in a more equal. Finally, the participants who used the social facilities by the dynamics of the region after the urban transformation stated that the mobility of the region increased after the transformation, and they could use the facilities safely. For this reason, people who use social areas think that urban transformation is very beneficial for the region. Economic concerns are considered very important in the urban transformation project, and in addition to this, new collapsed areas are formed. Based on the case, urban transformation projects can bring results such as investment and gentrification as well as physical renewal. As a result, Mehmet Akif Ersoy and YDA Park Avenue residences as a single example have the identity of being a prototype for urban transformation projects in terms of neoliberal urban policies. * This study, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Yahya Aydın, was supported by TÜBİTAK within the scope of "2209-A University Students Research Support Program".