Albeniz Ezme

Advocacy Planning in Urban Renewal: Sulukule Platform As the First Advocacy Planning Experience of Turkey Albeniz Ezme

Sulukule was one of the most famous neighborhoods in Istanbul because of the Romani culture and historic identity. In 2006, the Fatih Municipality knocked on the residents? doors with an urban renovation project. The community really didn't know how they could retain their residence in the neighborhood;unfortunately everybody knew that they wouldn't prosper in another place without their community connections. They were poor and had many issues impeding their livelihoods,but there should have been another solution that didn't involve eviction. People, associations, different volunteer groups and also universities in Istanbul were supporting the people of Sulukule. The Sulukule Platform was founded as this predicament began and fought against government eviction for years. In 2009,the area was totally destroyed, although the community did everything possible to save their neighborhood through the support of the Platform. Sulukule stands out as a symbolic case for social justice groups that promote the expansion of civil rights and defend neighborhoods that struggle for their rights. And this study aims to demonstrate how the advocacy planning is significant in planning for communities.