How to unravel pathbreaking trajectories in the left‐behind areas of Istanbul?

Abstract

Entrepreneurial and growth‐oriented urban development models see left‐behind areas as opportunities in need of redevelopment and upgrading, which can be subjected to speculation. We argue that pathbreaking trajectories emerge during this redevelopment process in distinct ways depending on the adaptive capacity of urban communities and flexibility in the planning practices. Focusing on the squatter areas in Istanbul, we map out pathbreaking trajectories in institutional and policy contexts and unravel societal responses. We conclude that the authoritarian entrepreneurial governance landscape operates in a dual context in which its impacts on re‐politicization of urban communities and their engagement with policy networks can vary.