Housing Segregation in the Rental Housing Market: A Field Experiment for Istanbul

Year 2023, Volume: 32 Issue: 2, 133 - 153, 27.11.2023

Mustafa Kahveci

https://doi.org/10.26650/siyasal.2023.32.1349823

Abstract

This paper examines the housing discrimination towards the Syrian population living in Turkey under temporary protection status. Since the commencement of the civil war, the Syrian migration to Turkey has transformed numerous cities across the country into varying degrees of Syrian habitation. The Turkish policymakers initially designated Syrian immigrants as “guests”, claiming that their settlement in Turkey was exceptional and would be transitory. However, this phenomenon has evolved into a lasting situation. Inequalities within the housing sector amplify the challenges faced by immigrants in establishing themselves and adapting to their host country. Moreover, the selection of a living locale carries significant importance, influencing the accessibility of local public services and engagement in the labor market. The paper specifically focuses on the migrants’ experience of the initial housing search and theinstances of bias in the rental housing market. It is founded upon empirical data derived from a field experiment conducted as part of the research project titled “From Guests to City Dwellers: The Housing Experience of Syrians in Istanbul” Following data collection, a comprehensive three-phase mixed methods research was conducted. In alignment with existing literature, the field experiment was executed employing a sample that accurately represents the rental housing market in Istanbul, the city harboring the highest population of Syrian residents. Findings reveal a stark discrepancy, with approximately 35% of housing tour requests made by Syrians for properties directly managed by landlords being declined, in contrast to amere 2% rejection rate for the local population. This disparity not only escalates the housing costs for Syrians due to the limited access to available properties in the rental housing market but also contributes to an uneven spatial distribution of Syrians across Istanbul’s districts.

Keywords

Housing Discrimination, Field Experiment, Spatial Segregation, Turkey, Syrian migrants

Project Number

119K110

Kiralık konut piyasasında barınma ayrımcılığı: İstanbul için saha deneyi uygulaması

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de geçici koruma statüsü altında yaşayan Suriyeli nüfusa yönelik barınma ayrımcılığını incelemektedir. İç savaşın başlamasından bu yana, Suriyelilerin Türkiye’ye göçü, ülke genelinde birçok şehri farklı derecelerde Suriyeli yerleşimine dönüştürmüştür. Politika yapıcıları başlangıçta Suriyeli göçmenleri “misafir” olarak tanımlamış ve Türkiye’deki yerleşimlerinin istisnai ve geçici olacağını iddia etmiştir. Ancak bu olgu kalıcı bir duruma dönüşmüştür. Konut sektöründeki eşitsizlikler, göçmenlerin kendilerini kabul ettirme ve ev sahibi ülkeye uyum sağlama konusunda karşılaştıkları zorlukları artırmaktadır. Ayrıca, yaşanacak yerin seçimi, yerel kamu hizmetlerinin erişilebilirliğini ve işgücü piyasasına katılımı etkileyerek büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu makale özellikle göçmenlerin ilk konut arama deneyimlerine ve kiralık konut piyasasında karşılaştıkları önyargılara odaklanmaktadır. “Misafirlikten Kent Sakinliğine” başlıklı araştırma projesinin bir parçası olarak yürütülen saha deneyinden elde edilen ampirik verilere dayanmaktadır Saha deneyi, mevcut literatür izlenerek İstanbul’u temsil eden bir örneklemle yapılmıştır.
Bulgular, Suriyelilerin doğrudan ev sahipleri tarafından kiraya verilen konutlarda için yaptıkları evi görme taleplerinin yaklaşık %35’inin reddedildiğini, buna karşılık yerel nüfus için bu oranın sadece %2 olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu eşitsizlik, kiralık konut piyasasında mevcut mülklere erişimin sınırlı olması nedeniyle Suriyeliler için konut maliyetlerini artırmanın yanı sıra, Suriyelilerin İstanbul’un ilçeleri arasında dengesiz bir mekânsal dağılım göstermesine de katkıda bulunmaktadır.

Keywords

Barınma Ayrımcılığı, Mekansal Ayrışma, Türkiye, Suriyeli Sığınmacılar

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

119K110

Thanks

Bu makalenin ortaya çıkmasına katkı yapan proje ekibine minnettarım

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