1. Sulukule Renewal Project
Istanbul, turkey 2005
Victoria Kim
Professor Pipkin
PPD 113: Poverty in Dev Countries
3/7/2014

2. introduction Theodosian Walls, Byzantine Empire
Law no (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

3. Regional Map of istanbul
Google Earth

4. 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

5. 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

6. Sulukule Tasoluk Before After

7. 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

8. Civil society Sulukule Platform “40 days 40 nights” 2007
Publicity, media
STOP Initiative (Planners without Borders), Ankara
Professional 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 courts
Project 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

9. Alternative plans Fatih District’s plan
Fatih District’s plan

10. 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
Quote from
Hurriyet daily news