Spatial Concentration of Syrian Immigrants in Spatial Dynamics and Ethnocultural Context in Turkey

Abstract

This study examines the spatial dynamics of spatial concentration and the migration process of Syrian immigrants from the perspective of Şanlıurfa province of Turkey. Syrians migrated to Turkey as a result of the civil war that started in 2011. There has been an increase in the number of international immigrants in the world and this continues to be a major issue. On the other hand, immigrants concentrate in certain countries of the world, certain cities of the countries and certain regions of the cities. Syrian immigrants have mostly moved towards Turkey among the neighbouring countries. In Turkey, Şanlıurfa is one of the cities where Syrian immigrants are concentrated. While there are almost no Syrian immigrants in some cities of Turkey, there are more than half a million Syrian immigrants living in Şanlıurfa. This study investigates why Syrian immigrants are more concentrated in Şanlıurfa in terms of spatial dynamics. As a result of interviews and observations made with the immigrants and the field actors who have close contact with migrants, the issue was tried to be analysed. In this context, a total of 76 people including immigrants and field actors were interviewed. As a result of the study, it was observed that the border sociology; historical, kinship and tribal relations between target and source settlements; collective memory and social (ethnic, linguistic, cultural) similarities and the social texture of the target settlement were the determining factors in the concentration of Syrian immigrants in Şanlıurfa and in the immigration process.