Urban Renewal and Environment: An Analysis of the Bahçelievler Neighborhood of Ankara

Since the 1950s, cities in Turkey have experienced rapid change, especially following the enactment of the Law on the Transformation of Areas under Disaster Risk (Law 6306) in 2012. This legislation aims to regenerate areas at risk of disasters, leading to the demolition of many old apartment buildings and their replacement with new ones. Owners receive new flats at no cost, although these units are often smaller than their previous ones. This transformation has significantly altered Turkey's urban landscape. Additionally, the demolition process generates significant dust and noise pollution, and many trees in the gardens of the old apartments are being cut down during the construction. This situation highlights the need for a multidimensional approach to urban renewal.

This study examines urban renewal projects in Bahçelievler, one of Ankara’s oldest neighborhoods. The aim is to understand the socio-environmental impact of these changes on residents. To achieve this, interviews were conducted with 15 residents: 7 who experienced the demolition of their apartments and 8 who remained in their old apartments.

The conceptual framework of this qualitative study is based on Lefebvre's (1992[1]) concept of the production of space, which posits that space is multilayered and not a one-dimensional entity. In the specific context of this study, the reproduction of spaces through urban renewal leads to discontinuity altering the city's historical silhouette and environmental problems. Results indicate that participants appreciate receiving new flats at no cost but express discomfort with the noise and dust from construction. Most are also concerned about the rapid changes in urban spaces. During this process, photographs from the neighborhood were also used in the study. In the Anthropocene era, these transformations pose environmental and health challenges, contributing to urban discontinuity and a loss of identity.

[1] Lefebvre, H. (1992) The Production of Space. Wiley-Blackwell