SULUKULE

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Victoria KimProfessor Pipkin

PPD 113: Poverty in Dev Countries3/7/2014

INTRODUCTION

Law no. 5366 (2005): “Preservation by Renovation and Utilization by Revitalizing of Deteriorated Immovable Historical and Cultural Properties”

Demolition & reconstruction: Urban Transformation Project (UTP)

Sulukule (“Water Tower”) Renewal Project = first UTP in Istanbul

Historic neighborhood, rich cultural assets UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1985

Theodosian Walls, Byzantine Empire

REGIONAL MAP OF ISTANBUL

DEMOGRAPHICS 80% of the Fatih residents are Roma (Gypsy) Community dating from Byzantine Empire Socially and economically ostracized– not recognized as an

official ethnic group in Turkey Informal settlement (shanty town, squatter community)

high unemployment, substandard infrastructure Ethnic enclave in Sulukule Historical settlement rich with music/entertainment

GOVERNANCE &PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY Fatih District, Istanbul Metropolitan District, TOKI (State Housing

Administration), 2006“Renovation, restoration, rehabilitation”Clear area for luxury villas/townhomes, entertainment/cultural center, and hotel

Three options given to Sulukule residents 1. Pay difference between current property value and proposed townhome

(determined by Fatih District) 2. Sell property/title deed to private developer(s)or TOKI

receive subsidy to TOKI apartment in massive housing project at Tasoluk Tasoluk = 25 miles away from Istanbul

3. Face forced eviction

TOKI paid 500 TL/sq meter for original property;

auction at 3000 TL/sq meter for each townhome

Before After

Sulukule

Tasoluk

ECONOMIC SECTOR

Social value of cultural assets underappreciated in decision-making process

Human capital, social network, solidarity Private benefit > social benefit

New townhomes aimed towards middle-high income groups Proposed cultural center have displays of Roma community

Construction sector stable in financial crisis Increasing urbanization rates -> housing demands

CIVIL SOCIETY

Sulukule Platform “40 days 40 nights” 2007Publicity, media

STOP Initiative (Planners without Borders), AnkaraProfessional network propose alternative plans and solutions (rejected)

Sulukule Platform + STOP Initiative = Sulukule Studio

Istanbul Chamber of Architects, Istanbul Chamber of City Planners, Sulukule Roma Association

File petitions an lawsuits to domestic courtsProject implementation continue despite legal battles in 2008

UNESCO: gentrification project Underground water channels, archeological discoveries during excavation

Sulukule Roma Association apply to European Courts of Human Rights, 2010

ALTERNATIVE PLANS

Fatih District’s plan

CONCLUSION

2012 Istanbul 4th Administrative Court revoke plan: “not in the public interest”

BUT according to Hurriyet Daily News on March 3, 2013 “Fatih Municipality did not revoke its plans…appealed to….Council of State”

Currently (2014): Project still ongoing