İstanbul'un Bakırköy ve Bağcılar ilçelerinde sosyo-mekansal değişim dinamikleri
Socio-spatial transformation dynamics in Bakırköy and Bağcılar districts of Istanbul
Yazar: SEVGİYE SÖNMEZ ÖZDEMİR
Danışman: PROF. DR. GÜLDEN ERKUT
İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi / Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü / Şehir ve Bölge Planlama Ana Bilim Dalı / Şehir ve Bölge Planlama Bilim Dalı
Derece: Doktora, 2024
Konu: Şehircilik ve Bölge Planlama = Urban and Regional Planning

Özet:
Tez çalışması, İstanbul'un Bakırköy ve Bağcılar ilçelerinde sosyo-mekansal değişimi oluşturan  dinamikleri ve bu dinamiklerin tarihsel süreçte nasıl evrildiğini incelemektedir. Araştırmanın ana odak noktasını oluşturan geçmişten günümüze ilçelerin kentsel ve sosyal yapısındaki değişimleri derinlemesine anlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu tür bir tarihsel perspektif, değişim süreçlerinin kök nedenlerini ve etkilerini daha iyi anlamak için kritik öneme sahiptir. Araştırma aynı zamanda yerel ve merkezi yönetim politikalarının ve kentsel dönüşüm süreçlerinin Bakırköy ve Bağcılar'ın arazi kullanım değişimi üzerindeki etkilerini detaylı bir şekilde ele almaktadır. Bu değişimi anlamak politika kararlarının ve kentsel planlama uygulamalarının sosyal ve fiziksel çevre üzerinde nasıl somut sonuçlar doğurduğunu ortaya konması adına önemlidir. Bu analiz, kentlerin arazi kullanımındaki  dönüşümlerin arkasındaki itici güçleri ve bunların toplumsal sonuçlarını açıklamada önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Araştırma, demografik değişim, sosyal yapı ve ekonomik faktörler gibi çeşitli unsurların kentsel mekan üzerindeki etkileşimlerini kapsamlı bir şekilde incelemektedir. Bu çalışma sosyo-mekansal analizde çok katmanlı bir yaklaşım benimseyerek, ilçelerin mekansal ve sosyal dinamiklerini şekillendiren çeşitli etmenler arasındaki ilişkileri derinlemesine değerlendirmektedir. Ayrıca arazi kullanım ve fonksiyon değişimleri gibi somut ölçütler üzerinden bu dinamiklerin görselleştirilmesi ve analizi, çalışmanın somut verilere dayandırılarak yapılmasını sağlamaktadır.
Çalışma, Bakırköy ve Bağcılar ilçelerinde 2000 ve 2018 yıllarına ait nüfus sayım verileri kullanılarak, bu iki belirlenen dönemde sosyal yapısal değişimleri ayrıntılı bir şekilde tartışmaktadır. Bu tarihsel karşılaştırmalı analiz, zaman içinde ilçelerin nasıl değiştiğini ve bu değişimlerin altında yatan faktörleri anlamaya çalışmaktadır. Araştırma aynı zamanda sosyal yapı ile kentsel mekan arasındaki etkileşimi tanımlamakta ve dönemlerdeki sosyo-mekansal değişimlerin bu etkileşim üzerindeki etkilerini incelemektedir. Bu sosyal grupların mekansal dağılımlarını ve kentsel planlamada sosyal faktörlerin nasıl bir rol oynadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Ayrıca bu değişimlerin mahalle ölçeğinde nasıl yansıdığını analiz ederek mekansal değişim süreçlerinin topluluklar üzerindeki etkilerini tanımlamaktadır. Toplumsal sıra ve kentleşme endeksleri kullanarak sosyal yapı analizleri yapılmakta ve bu analizler aracılığıyla ilçeler özelinde mahalle ölçeğinde "toplumsal alan sınıflandırması" yapılmaktadır. Bu metodoloji, sosyal yapısal faktörlerin kentsel mekan üzerindeki etkilerini nicel bir şekilde değerlendirmek için kullanılmakta böylece ilçelerin kentsel dinamiklerini daha iyi anlamamızı sağlamaktadır.
Tezin metodolojisi, hem nicel hem de nitel ve görsel veri analizlerini içermektedir. Bu karma yaklaşım, verilerin çeşitli yönlerden incelenmesini sağlayarak daha kapsamlı ve derinlemesine  bir anlayış sunmaktadır. Nicel analizler verileri sayısal olarak değerlendirirken, nitel analizler, olayların ve süreçlerin bağlamını, derinliğini ve karmaşıklığını ortaya koymaktadır. Araştırmada tarihsel haritalar, demografik ve ekonomik veriler, yasal belgeler ve politik karar dayanakları temel veri kaynakları olarak kullanılmıştır. Bu çeşitlilik, araştırmanın konusu olan sosyo-mekansal değişimleri çok yönlü bir perspektiften ele almayı mümkün kılmaktadır. Tarihsel haritalar ve demografik veriler, mekansal ve nüfus değişimlerini görselleştirmeye yardımcı olmaktadır; yasal belgeler ve politik kararlar, bu değişimlere yol açan veya sonucunda ortaya çıkan yasal ve politik çerçeveyi açıklamaktadır. Seçilen örnek alanlar üzerinden tarihsel süreçte alan özelindeki fonksiyon değişimi, bu değişimde etkili olan politik kararları ve yasal mevzuat altlığını tanımlayarak spesifik örnekler üzerinden mekansal değişimi ayrıntılandırmaktadır.
Sonuç olarak, bu tez çalışması İstanbul'un Bakırköy ve Bağcılar ilçelerinde gerçekleşen sosyo-mekansal değişimleri detaylı bir şekilde incelemekte ve bu değişimlerin İstanbul'un genelindeki kentsel dönüşüm süreçlerine nasıl entegre olduğunu ve bu süreçlere nasıl katkı sağladığını analiz etmektedir. Çalışma, tarihsel verileri, sosyal yapısal analizleri kullanarak, ilçelerdeki değişim dinamiklerinin kentsel mekan üzerindeki etkilerini ortaya koymuş ve bu etkilerin geniş kentsel bağlamda nasıl bir rol oynadığını açıklamıştır. Ayrıca, yerel ve merkezi yönetim politikalarının bu dönüşüm süreçlerine etkileri detaylı bir şekilde irdelenmiştir, böylece politika yapıcılar için dönüşüm ve planlama stratejileri geliştirme konusunda önemli önerilerde bulunulmuştur. Bu bulgular, Türkiye'deki kentsel dönüşüm ve planlama çalışmalarını daha ileriye taşıyacak ve ilgili literatürü zenginleştirecek niteliktedir.

Abstract:
This thesis investigates the socio-spatial dynamics of change in Istanbul's Bakırköy and Bağcılar districts, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of how urban and social structures in these districts have evolved historically. The research takes an in-depth approach to analyzing the historical progression of these transformations, offering insights into the root causes and multifaceted impacts of these changes. By examining how social and physical environments have been shaped and reshaped over time, this study contributes to the broader discourse on urbanization, social stratification, and spatial planning in rapidly urbanizing contexts like Istanbul.
The historical perspective employed in the research is particularly important for understanding the broader implications of socio-spatial changes. By analyzing the transformations in Bakırköy and Bağcılar through the lens of urban development policies, demographic shifts, and socio-economic factors, the study highlights how these districts have navigated the challenges and opportunities presented by urbanization. The focus on historical dynamics allows for an exploration of how shifts in governance, planning paradigms, and societal needs have collectively influenced the spatial and social character of the districts.
A central aspect of the research is its focus on the interplay between local and central government policies and their tangible impacts on urban transformation processes. By addressing the shifts in land use patterns in Bakırköy and Bağcılar, the study sheds light on the relationship between policy decisions and their spatial outcomes. The research demonstrates that urban transformation is not merely a physical process but is deeply intertwined with the social fabric, governance frameworks, and economic imperatives of the city. This perspective is instrumental in understanding the broader forces driving urban change and their implications for community resilience, social equity, and urban functionality.
To analyze these dynamics, the research delves into a variety of socio-spatial factors, including demographic trends, socio-economic structures, and the evolution of land use. A multidimensional approach is adopted to capture the complex interrelations between these factors. The study utilizes demographic and social structural data, specifically population census data from 2000 and 2018, to chart the temporal changes in the districts. These data provide the foundation for exploring how population dynamics, migration patterns, and changes in social stratification have influenced the spatial organization of Bakırköy and Bağcılar over nearly two decades. By situating these changes within the broader urban transformation processes of Istanbul, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the spatial implications of social change.
A key contribution of the thesis is its analysis of neighborhood-level transformations within the districts. By employing social rank and urbanization indices, the study performs a detailed 'social area classification' that categorizes neighborhoods based on socio-economic and demographic characteristics. This classification not only elucidates the spatial distribution of social groups but also provides a quantitative framework for assessing the influence of social structures on urban space. The research highlights how changes at the neighborhood level reflect broader socio-spatial dynamics, offering insights into the localized impacts of urban transformation processes. This granular focus is essential for understanding the diverse experiences of different communities within the districts.
The methodology employed in the thesis is robust and multifaceted, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data analyses. This mixed-method approach ensures a comprehensive examination of the socio-spatial dynamics at play. Quantitative analyses are used to evaluate numerical data, such as population trends, economic indicators, and land use changes, while qualitative analyses provide a deeper understanding of the contextual and historical dimensions of these transformations. The use of historical maps, demographic and economic data, legal documents, and political decisions as primary data sources enriches the research, allowing for a detailed and multidimensional exploration of socio-spatial changes. Historical maps, for instance, enable the visualization of spatial transformations, while legal documents and policy analyses provide insights into the governance frameworks that have shaped these changes.
The thesis dedicates considerable focus to the analysis of functional changes within selected areas of Bakırköy and Bağcılar, emphasizing how these changes in land use and urban functions are shaped by political and legal frameworks. Functional changes, such as shifts in residential, commercial, and industrial land uses, are not merely results of organic urban growth but are deeply intertwined with governance decisions, reflecting broader socio-economic and political agendas. By examining specific examples of these changes, the research explores the dynamic interplay between urban governance and spatial transformation, shedding light on the mechanisms through which policy decisions influence the physical and social fabric of urban spaces.
One critical aspect of this analysis is the role of political decisions in shaping urban land use. For instance, policies promoting large-scale housing projects, commercial developments, or industrial zones often serve as catalysts for significant functional changes in urban areas. In Bakırköy, for example, shifts from industrial land use to residential and mixed-use developments illustrate how urban regeneration projects, driven by municipal and central government initiatives, can lead to profound changes in the spatial organization of districts. Similarly, in Bağcılar, the transformation from informal settlements (gecekondu areas) into high-density residential complexes highlights the role of legal and political interventions in reconfiguring urban space to align with broader development goals.
Legal frameworks also play a pivotal role in facilitating or constraining functional changes. Zoning regulations, urban renewal laws, and land acquisition policies are critical tools through which governments exercise control over land use. The study examines how specific legal instruments, such as the Law on Transformation of Areas under Disaster Risk (Law No. 6306), have been applied in Bağcılar to reshape its urban landscape. These laws not only provide the legal basis for redevelopment projects but also influence the pace and direction of urban transformation. In Bakırköy, on the other hand, legal battles over land use decisions, often influenced by resident activism and local politics, reveal the contested nature of urban space and the competing interests that shape functional outcomes.
Quantitative and qualitative analyses play an integral role in understanding these functional changes and their implications. Through spatial data analysis, the research identifies patterns of land use changes over time, providing a visual and empirical basis for understanding the scale and scope of transformation. For example, GIS-based mapping of Bakırköy and Bağcılar illustrates the spatial distribution of different land uses and how these have evolved in response to political and legal interventions. This spatial analysis is complemented by qualitative insights derived from archival research, interviews, and policy document reviews, which uncover the motivations and power dynamics underlying these changes.
The thesis also highlights the socio-spatial consequences of functional changes, demonstrating how shifts in land use and urban functions impact local communities. In Bağcılar, for instance, the replacement of informal housing with high-rise apartments has led to significant social restructuring, including the displacement of lower-income residents and the influx of new middle-class populations. This process has altered the socio-economic profile of neighborhoods, creating new patterns of segregation and inequality. Similarly, in Bakırköy, the commercialization of previously residential areas has resulted in the loss of traditional neighborhood characteristics, raising questions about the cultural and social costs of urban transformation.
By integrating these analyses, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the mechanisms driving functional changes in urban contexts. It argues that urban transformation is not a linear or homogeneous process but rather a complex interplay of governance, legal frameworks, and socio-economic factors. The findings underscore the importance of viewing urban space as a contested arena where various actors—government institutions, private developers, and local communities—negotiate and contest the use and function of land. This perspective not only enhances our understanding of urban transformation processes in Bakırköy and Bağcılar but also contributes to broader discussions on the role of governance in shaping equitable and sustainable urban futures.
In summary, the analysis of functional changes within these districts demonstrates how political and legal decisions translate into concrete spatial outcomes, reshaping the urban landscape in profound ways. By connecting these changes to broader socio-economic and governance dynamics, the thesis provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of urban transformation, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing the challenges and opportunities of rapid urban change in contemporary cities.
The research extends its focus beyond the immediate socio-spatial changes observed in Bakırköy and Bağcılar to situate these dynamics within the larger urban transformation processes of Istanbul. As one of the most rapidly urbanizing metropolises in the world, Istanbul presents a unique context where historical, socio-economic, and political factors converge to shape its urban landscape. By analyzing Bakırköy and Bağcılar as microcosms of these broader trends, the thesis provides valuable insights into how local changes both influence and are influenced by the city's overarching developmental trajectory. This integrated perspective highlights the interconnectedness of local and city-wide transformations, illustrating how decisions at the neighborhood level contribute to and reflect Istanbul's evolving urban form.
A critical dimension of the study is its exploration of the interplay between social structures, spatial dynamics, and governance frameworks. By examining how demographic shifts, economic factors, and policy decisions interact, the research underscores the multifaceted nature of urban transformation. For instance, the thesis investigates how migration patterns and changing socio-economic profiles have redefined community structures in Bağcılar, while also considering how governance practices in Bakırköy have shaped land use and functional diversity. These findings demonstrate that urban change is not driven by singular factors but emerges from the complex interactions among social, economic, and political forces. Such an approach not only enriches our understanding of Istanbul's urban dynamics but also emphasizes the need for holistic and integrated frameworks in urban studies.
Building on this foundation, the thesis offers actionable recommendations for urban planners, policymakers, and scholars, aiming to bridge the gap between academic analysis and practical application. By critically evaluating the effects of local and central government policies, the research identifies key areas where planning strategies can be improved to address the challenges of rapid urbanization. For example, the findings advocate for more inclusive and participatory approaches in urban decision-making processes to ensure that socio-spatial inequalities are mitigated rather than exacerbated. Additionally, the research suggests the adoption of adaptive planning mechanisms that are responsive to the dynamic and evolving needs of urban communities. These recommendations are intended not only to enhance the effectiveness of transformation strategies in Bakırköy and Bağcılar but also to serve as a model for other districts facing similar challenges within Istanbul and beyond.
In conclusion, this thesis makes a significant contribution to the study of urban transformation in Istanbul by providing an in-depth analysis of the socio-spatial changes in Bakırköy and Bağcılar. Through its historical perspective, methodological rigor, and focus on empirical data, the research advances the understanding of how social and spatial dynamics intersect in urban contexts. By linking these findings to broader urban planning and policy discussions, the thesis not only enriches the academic literature but also offers practical insights for shaping the future of urban development in Turkey.