Collaboration of stakeholders in squatter settlements renewal projects in Turkey

Abstract

Tbi:> study examines in detail t)ie application of the concepts such as "participatory democracy" and "collaboration", tliat have been discussed and their propaganda has been made recently in Turkey, in the "gecekondu" - squatter settlements - renewal projects. Since the 1950s in Europe and the United States, it has become natural and routine to collaborate in urban renewal projects for those who are affected by the project. After the municipal elections of' 26 March 1989, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality started to develop urban renewal projects under the name of "project democracy". This practice inspires much hope from the point of view of bringing to life "participatory democracy". The objective ot this study is to research in detaiJ the realization of participatory democracy and collaboration among stakeholders with sample projects - the Dikmen Valley Renewal Project and the Portakal Çiçeği Valley Renewal Project- from the Gecekondu areas renewal programs developed by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality.