The “New Turkey”? Urban Renewal and Beyond

Abstract

Turkey has been going through a major urban transformation for the past decade as a result of the vigorous urban policy of the akp government. Luxury real estate projects, from gated communities to office towers and shopping malls are mushrooming every day to replace parks, forests, historical sites, beaches, and other shared space. This urban policy has been largely accepted by capitalist groups who prioritized economic growth. Yet, it was criticized by left-wing and environmentalist circles who problematized the displacement of the urban poor, elimination of diversity, and the decline of urban nature as a result. Nevertheless, a critical aspect of this urban renewal policy, namely the dramatic expansion of the boundaries and control of the government at the expense of rival institutions and actors received little attention. This analysis focuses on the akp government’s legislative interventions that affected the schemes of urban development. The study considers how this urban policy combined capitalist strategies with political centralization, which allowed solidification of government control.