Changes in the socio-economic structure of an existing neighborhood after the urban regeneration project: the case of Dikmen Valley

Abstract

In this thesis, the aim is to evaluate the impact of an urban regeneration project on the socio-economic structure of an existing neighborhood based on the hypothesis that urban regeneration generally results in a change in the socio-economic structure of the regenerated neighborhood. Dikmen Valley which is one of the most important urban regeneration projects implemented in a squatter settlement has been chosen as the case. The focus of this study is the socio-economic status of people presently living in the houses constructed for the rightowners during the first phase of the project. Furthermore, variances between people that reside in Dikmen Valley are analyzed in order to affirm the existence of different socio-economic groups in contradiction with the initial of the project. The research question of the nature of the changes are based on the socio-economic profile of the people who preferred to stay and who chose to move in the Valley after the project is completed. The differences between the socioeconomic groups are measured in terms of the decision of choosing to stay or move in to the Valley, social networks, interactions in and with the open spaces, the use and evaluation of the environment, and prospects about staying in the Valley or moving out. As a result of this study, it is found that currently two distinct socio-economic groups live in the same environment, as opposed to the homogenous social structure of the Valley prior to the project.