SULUKULE UPDATE

TURKEY- URBAN RENEWAL, BUT WHO IS GOING TO PROFIT?

FROM AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
SLUM STORIES

http://www.slumstories.org/episode/turkey-%E2%80%93-urban-renewal-who-going-profit

There is not much left of the Roma district of Sulukule, which used to be so colourful. For years, thousands of Roma from all over the world lived in this historic settlement in the Turkish capital of Istanbul. Because of urban renewal they were forced to leave Sulukule.

‘In 2006 the local authorities told the inhabitants: We are going to demolish your homes so we can use the land to build luxury villas,’ says activist Hacer Foggo. ‘They said: We will pay you a small amount as compensation. Either you accept our conditions or we will take possession of your houses. The inhabitants of Sulukule didn’t have a choice.’

The lots which the Roma were forced to transfer to the local authorities for a paltry price are now worth a lot of money, thanks to the urban renewal project. But the former inhabitants of Sulukule are not profiting from this. They are struggling to earn a livelihood and to find a proper new home. They usually cannot afford council housing and affordable homes are often miles away from the city, far away from friends, family and jobs.

PLEASE VISIT THIS SITE TO SEE A VERY GOOD CLIP ON THE FORMER RESIDENTS OF SULUKULE.
http://www.slumstories.org/episode/turkey-%E2%80%93-urban-renewal-who-going-profit

http://www.slumstories.org/#.T4hB3tJW1zk.email