The Role of the Public Sector in the Provision of Housing Supply in Turkey, 1950-2009

Abstract

This study examines the changing role of the public sector in Turkey with regard to housing provision since 1950, and particularly since 2000, and seeks to clarify how public intervention has affected housing provision and urban development dynamics in major cities. Three periods may be identified, with central government acting as a regulator in a first period characterized by a ‘housing boom’. During the second period, from 1980 to 2000, a new mass housing law spurred construction activity, although the main beneficiaries of the housing fund tended to be the middle classes. After 2000, contrary to emerging trends in both Northern and Southern European countries, the public sector in Turkey became actively involved in housing provision. During this process, new housing estates were created on greenfield sites on the outskirts of cities, instead of efforts being made to rehabilitate, restore or renew existing housing stock in the cities. Meanwhile, the concept of ‘urban regeneration’ has been opportunistically incorporated into the planning agenda of the public sector, and — under the pretext of regenerating squatter housing areas — existing residents have been moved out, while channels for community participation have been bypassed.

The negative effects of construction boom on urban planning and environment in Turkey: Unraveling the role of the public sector

“…For instance, two of the housing projects of TOKI in Bursa were developed on valuable agricultural lands on peripheries (Balaban, 2009). Ozdemir (2010) mentions the case of Ayvalik, where TOKI's attempt to build housing project on a forested hill was prevented by the municipality by converting the hill into a recreational area. Avrupa Houses Project in Istanbul was built on a site, which was designated as 'hospital area' in the landuse plan that was in effect prior to the project (Turk & Altes, 2010: 188).…”

“…Instead of considering local circumstances and spatial growth trends, TOKI has adhered to the approach of developing housing projects on public lands included in its portfolio or on lands that could be transferred to TOKI freely (Balaban, 2009;Ozdemir, 2010). In most cases, this approach has ended up with housing projects at the outskirts of cities, and even in areas with no access to public transportation.…”

“…The project site is 28 km away from city center in Ankara and still not very well connected to public transportation system in the city. Ozdemir (2010) maps the distribution of housing projects initiated by TOKI in Istanbul and thus clearly demonstrates that major housing projects of TOKI and significant part of its housing production in Istanbul are located on the outskirts of the city. Several NGOs reacted to the housing projects of TOKI in city of Bursa claiming that projects have contributed to unplanned expansion of city toward peripheries and created several disconnected neighborhoods 9 .…”

Hungry for housing: waqf real estate development - a social welfare alternative

“…Even though there is a variation in such role between developing countries and developed countries, the public sector is still very much needed to provide affordable housing [11].…”

Local Public Services in Italy: Still Fragmentation

“…The Housing Development Agency (TOKİ) rapidly acquired considerable fi nancial and administrative clout and has become the dominant player in the housing sector. The urban transformation reform legislation gave TOKİ exceptional powers to acquire or requisition public land, expropriate private land and amend urban plans; it also enjoys important fi nancial exemptions (Özdemir 2011 ;Penbecioğlu 2011 ). Despite its extraordinary powers and authority, TOKİ does not act as a direct constructor and provider of houses.…”