Lone house stands in gigantic construction site in Ankara

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

So-called urban transformation projects in Turkey’s big cities have accelerated gentrification across the country, in many cases forcing those with low or middle economic incomes to leave their neighborhoods. AA Photo

After the lone house in Istanbul’s popular Fikirtepe neighborhood, which made headlines after standing for months and refusing to settle with the municipality, another house now stands alone amid a vast urban transformation project in the Turkish capital.

The small brick shanty house is the only building remaining of a slum in the Yenimahalle district after the area was sold to construction companies by the municipality.

As in many cases of gentrification, most of the owners agreed to the conditions put forward by the construction company. But one of the owners, Sait Kaplan, said he would not allow his house to be demolished unless his demands were met. Kaplan said he would not leave his home before his ongoing lawsuit concludes, as negotiations continue.

A total of 1,098 shanty houses were demolished and constructors are rushing to build 1,502 apartment blocks instead as part of a gigantic and likely lucrative project.

Officials have said there was litigation with only 19 house owners.

So-called urban transformation projects in Turkey’s biggest cities have accelerated gentrification across the country, in many cases forcing those with low or middle economic incomes to leave their neighborhood.

A few months ago, another owner had resisted making a deal with the municipality in Fikirtepe, where a similar development project is ongoing.

Other projects are pending, including several that have caused controversy, with critics claiming that municipalities are trying to destroy communities, especially in Istanbul neighborhoods such as Okmeydanı and Sarıgöl, known for their Alevi and Romani populations, respectively.