Housing Segregation in the Rental Housing Market: A Field Experiment for Istanbul

Mustafa Kahveci

Article Details

Housing Segregation in the Rental Housing Market: A Field Experiment for Istanbul

Authors:

Mustafa Kahveci

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Political Science (Other)

Journal:

Siyasal: Journal of Political Sciences Vol.32 Issue 2, pp.133-153

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001304263

pISSN:

2618-6330

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This paper examines the housing discrimination towards the Syrian population living in Turkey under temporary protection status. Since the commencement of the civil war, the Syrian migration to Turkey has transformed numerous cities across the country into varying degrees of Syrian habitation. The Turkish policymakers initially designated Syrian immigrants as guests, claiming that their settlement in Turkey was exceptional and would be transitory. However, this phenomenon has evolved into a lasting situation. Inequalities within the housing sector amplify the challenges faced by immigrants in establishing themselves and adapting to their host country. Moreover, the selection of a living locale carries significant importance, influencing the accessibility of local public services and engagement in the labor market. The paper specifically focuses on the migrants experience of the initial housing search and theinstances of bias in the rental housing market. It is founded upon empirical data derived from a field experiment conducted as part of the research project titled From Guests to City Dwellers: The Housing Experience of Syrians in Istanbul Following data collection, a comprehensive three-phase mixed methods research was conducted. In alignment with existing literature, the field experiment was executed employing a sample that accurately represents the rental housing market in Istanbul, the city harboring the highest population of Syrian residents. Findings reveal a stark discrepancy, with approximately 35 of housing tour requests made by Syrians for properties directly managed by landlords being declined, in contrast to amere 2 rejection rate for the local population. This disparity not only escalates the housing costs for Syrians due to the limited access to available properties in the rental housing market but also contributes to an uneven spatial distribution of Syrians across Istanbuls districts.

 This paper examines the housing discrimination towards the Syrian population living in Turkey under temporary protection status. Since the commencement of the civil war, the Syrian migration to Turkey has transformed numerous cities across the country into varying degrees of Syrian habitation. The Turkish policymakers initially designated Syrian immigrants as guests, claiming that their settlement in Turkey was exceptional and would be transitory. However, this phenomenon has evolved into a lasting situation. Inequalities within the housing sector amplify the challenges faced by immigrants in establishing themselves and adapting to their host country. Moreover, the selection of a living locale carries significant importance, influencing the accessibility of local public services and engagement in the labor market. The paper specifically focuses on the migrants experience of the initial housing search and theinstances of bias in the rental housing market. It is founded upon empirical data derived from a field experiment conducted as part of the research project titled From Guests to City Dwellers: The Housing Experience of Syrians in Istanbul Following data collection, a comprehensive three-phase mixed methods research was conducted. In alignment with existing literature, the field experiment was executed employing a sample that accurately represents the rental housing market in Istanbul, the city harboring the highest population of Syrian residents. Findings reveal a stark discrepancy, with approximately 35 of housing tour requests made by Syrians for properties directly managed by landlords being declined, in contrast to amere 2 rejection rate for the local population. This disparity not only escalates the housing costs for Syrians due to the limited access to available properties in the rental housing market but also contributes to an uneven spatial distribution of Syrians across Istanbuls districts.

 This paper examines the housing discrimination towards the Syrian population living in Turkey under temporary protection status. Since the commencement of the civil war, the Syrian migration to Turkey has transformed numerous cities across the country into varying degrees of Syrian habitation. The Turkish policymakers initially designated Syrian immigrants as guests, claiming that their settlement in Turkey was exceptional and would be transitory. However, this phenomenon has evolved into a lasting situation. Inequalities within the housing sector amplify the challenges faced by immigrants in establishing themselves and adapting to their host country. Moreover, the selection of a living locale carries significant importance, influencing the accessibility of local public services and engagement in the labor market. The paper specifically focuses on the migrants experience of the initial housing search and theinstances of bias in the rental housing market. It is founded upon empirical data derived from a field experiment conducted as part of the research project titled From Guests to City Dwellers: The Housing Experience of Syrians in Istanbul Following data collection, a comprehensive three-phase mixed methods research was conducted. In alignment with existing literature, the field experiment was executed employing a sample that accurately represents the rental housing market in Istanbul, the city harboring the highest population of Syrian residents. Findings reveal a stark discrepancy, with approximately 35 of housing tour requests made by Syrians for properties directly managed by landlords being declined, in contrast to amere 2 rejection rate for the local population. This disparity not only escalates the housing costs for Syrians due to the limited access to available properties in the rental housing market but also contributes to an uneven spatial distribution of Syrians across Istanbuls districts.

 Bu çalışma, Türkiyede geçici koruma statüsü altında yaşayan Suriyeli nüfusa yönelik barınma ayrımcılığını incelemektedir. İç savaşın başlamasından bu yana, Suriyelilerin Türkiyeye göçü, ülke genelinde birçok şehri farklı derecelerde Suriyeli yerleşimine dönüştürmüştür. Politika yapıcıları başlangıçta Suriyeli göçmenleri misafir olarak tanımlamış ve Türkiyedeki yerleşimlerinin istisnai ve geçici olacağını iddia etmiştir. Ancak bu olgu kalıcı bir duruma dönüşmüştür. Konut sektöründeki eşitsizlikler, göçmenlerin kendilerini kabul ettirme ve ev sahibi ülkeye uyum sağlama konusunda karşılaştıkları zorlukları artırmaktadır. Ayrıca, yaşanacak yerin seçimi, yerel kamu hizmetlerinin erişilebilirliğini ve işgücü piyasasına katılımı etkileyerek büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu makale özellikle göçmenlerin ilk konut arama deneyimlerine ve kiralık konut piyasasında karşılaştıkları önyargılara odaklanmaktadır. Misafirlikten Kent Sakinliğine başlıklı araştırma projesinin bir parçası olarak yürütülen saha deneyinden elde edilen ampirik verilere dayanmaktadır Saha deneyi, mevcut literatür izlenerek İstanbulu temsil eden bir örneklemle yapılmıştır. Bulgular, Suriyelilerin doğrudan ev sahipleri tarafından kiraya verilen konutlarda için yaptıkları evi görme taleplerinin yaklaşık 35inin reddedildiğini, buna karşılık yerel nüfus için bu oranın sadece 2 olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu eşitsizlik, kiralık konut piyasasında mevcut mülklere erişimin sınırlı olması nedeniyle Suriyeliler için konut maliyetlerini artırmanın yanı sıra, Suriyelilerin İstanbulun ilçeleri arasında dengesiz bir mekânsal dağılım göstermesine de katkıda bulunmaktadır.

Article Details

Housing Segregation in the Rental Housing Market: A Field Experiment for Istanbul

Authors:

Mustafa Kahveci

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Political Science (Other)

Journal:

Siyasal: Journal of Political Sciences Vol.32 Issue 2, pp.133-153

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001304263

pISSN:

2618-6330

Housing Discrimination

Field Experiment

Spatial Segregation

Turkey

Syrian migrantsBarınma Ayrımcılığı

Mekansal Ayrışma

Türkiye

Suriyeli Sığınmacılar

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Mustafa Kahveci

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: Political Science (Other)

Journal: Siyasal: Journal of Political Sciences Vol.32 Issue 2, pp.133-153

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 11/2023

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001304263

pISSN: 2618-6330

Issues

Authors:

Mustafa Kahveci

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Political Science (Other)

Journal:

Siyasal: Journal of Political Sciences Vol.32 Issue 2, pp.133-153

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

11/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001304263

pISSN:

2618-6330