Gentrification in Istanbul: Generating Insights Through Photography

Gentrification is a process that describes the regeneration of run-down districts of a city; people from high income groups move into an area and, over time, the original residents move out. This process can be seen in Istanbul during the 1980s when some buildings in the central areas of the city were restored and are now used by people of upper social classes, income groups, cultures and lifestyles. Slum clearance programmes and the building of new apartment blocks has resulted in the gentrification of many parts of the city. This study focuses on one district of Istanbul that has been affected by this type of gentrification. The purpose of the study was to explore what role photography might have in developing an understanding of the gentrification process. The research included a photo-elicitation exercise with some of the residents to understand the effect of gentrification on their lives. This paper outlines the context around gentrification, the methodology employed by the researcher and the findings from the study. The study concludes that visual methodologies can provide valuable data, giving a better understanding of the process and impact of gentrification in Turkey.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

gentrification, photography, visual methodologies, photo-elicitation

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