The neoliberal urban agenda, at last, has gotten hold of Istanbul as well! The ambitions and aspirations of the authorities to turn the city into a ‘global’ one, show their harsh impacts on the lives and livelihoods of the communities which are eitheir evicted or expecting forced evictions. 

Factory-based industries of the city lose their significance vis-a-vis other sectors such as tourism, finance and services as the city is being designed to be a world class city catering to high-income populations. Consequently, there is not much need for workers anymore and this twist of policy shows itself most clearly in the living spaces of the urban poor.

Gecekondu settlements and historic neighbourhoods in the center (stigmatized as areas of blight & decay) which have been inhabited by the working forces are demolished and handed to developers as investment areas for flagship projects. Former legislations of the previous era emphasing “inclusion”, “upgrading” or “providing cheap housing” for low-income gecekondu groups have all been replaced by policies of urban transformation.

While the memories of the demolished & evacuated Ayazma and Sulukule are still fresh, with the communities confronting a myriad of human rights violations during and after the evictions, unfortunately, a considerable number of neighbourhoods are also under threat, expecting forced evictions.

A lively green spot among the high-rise blocks of the Atasehir municipality, the tenements of the Roma community of Kucukbakkalkoy were demolished in July, leaving the population to streets, without any differentiation between children, women, the elderly and even the ill.

An old patient was left to streets with his oxygen machine (photo 1).

An old patient was left to streets with his oxygen machine

Kucukbakkalkoy Roma held a press call right after the incident and asked for the right to housing and shelter (photo 2).

Kucukbakkalkoy Roma held a press call right after the incident and asked for the right to housing and shelter

The demolishment threats continued in August, this time at a very historical neighbourhood, Toklu Dede of Ayvansaray. The tenants of the neighbourhood (most of them old and retired persons) who can afford only the low rents have now started thinking critically about their futures (photo3).

Os moradores do bairro (a maioria deles pessoas de idade e aposentadas) que podem pagar muito pouco pelo aluguel, começaram agora a pensar criticamente sobre seu futuro

On the other hand, all of the residents of the neighbourhood possess title deeds; yet, according to law 5366 having a title deed makes no difference, the relevant authority has the power of expropriation. The law is an open violation of property rights.

One of the owners, not being able to resist pressures commited suicide: 

http://evrensel.net/news.php?id=13355

http://player.vimeo.com/video/28904380?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0

The residents of Toklu Dede too had a press announcement, attended by activists, academicians and Melda Onur, the opposition deputy of the area (photo 4).

Os moradores de Toklu Dede também fizeram um comunicado à imprensa, com a participação de ativistas, acadêmicos e Melda Onur, o deputado de oposição da área

While not only housing rights but all human rights are being evicted in İstanbul, one can not help asking: Tarlabasi, Fener, Balat, Ayvansaray,Yenikapi,Kumkapi,Tozkoparan, Derbent, Bedreddin….

Which one next?!