The definition of "gentrify" is to restore and improve a house or an area to make it suitable for middle-class residents (Cowie, 1989). To understand gentrification, “filtering theory” is examined. Eventually all edifices will lose their value and integrity. This can cause many scenarios; one of them is, lower-class individuals will settle down in this place. Another scenario is, middle or upper class individuals are tempted to live in these areas because of its historical value. Which will be obtained by renovating these run-down properties. Which will cause the buildings to end up with higher property values. But gentrification is a long term process and it can differ in each location. Another factor is spontaneity, Planned and spontaneous gentrification has very different outcomes when Cihangir and Tarlabaşı gentrification cases are examined. As mentioned in the filtering theory, gentrification can occur in cases where urban land is upgraded in accordance to its history. Meanwhile in Tarlabaşı, social geography of the urban land and unique architectural pattern is erased. These two locations have very similar history.
At the end of the 19th century, Italian and Greek architects constructed art nouveau buildings in Pera and Cihangir, neighboring Tarlabaşı. Because of the September 6-7 events and immigration from the Anatolian section of Turkey has caused the property value at Cihangir to be lower. "Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen" (Petrie, 2012). In early 1990s, structures located in Cihangir has began to deteriorate which triggered settled inhabitants to step in and renovate, rehabilitate and improve the appearance of Cihangir. “No attempt was made by any authority to effect change or relocate the residents of the neighborhood.”(Şalgamcıoğlu, 2014). So the foundation of the gentrification process was led by residents themselves being self-developing urban life cycles. In Tarlabaşı’s gentrification case, the movement is led by the state aggressively. Causing local residents whom are minorities (such as queer people or people with ethnical backgrounds…) to be displaced. The socio-cultural structure is modified and original occupants are disregarded. This urban transformation project is the result of a gradual process that began after the Turkish Parliament passed Law 5366 (Anon, 2005), which was designed to protect and renew irreplaceable historical and cultural resources (Anon, 2005). People with lower incomes are driven from their own neighborhood for political or financial gain in the form of gentrification. Renovation process must start with embracing the historical background of the area and done accordingly. Modernized structures will not fit in as wished since it does not align with the original character. This gentrification case will result in empty homes, which defeats the purpose of self sustainable/self developing neighborhoods.
To finalize, the meaning of gentrification differs. Currently, people with higher incomes prefer modernized, minimalistic buildings with no historical ornament or such. So these structures are identified with upper class. In Cihangir, the structures changed because they were reconstructed by locals, which led to structures fitting in with their environment. Meanwhile in Tarlabaşı, people were led to abandon the environment before structures changed. Which led to loss of character and historical value.
No comments:
Post a Comment