ADAPTATION PROCESS OF BOĞAZKESEN’ GENTRIFIERS

Abstract

Bogazkesen Street, an old settlement in Istanbul, has been in a contradictive transformation process for a while. The street has a critical importance as a gentrification area not only because of the spatial location but also the tough sledding process. In consequence of tense relation between gentrifiers and the old-existing habitants and the process which is reflected in the press; the gentrification process of Bogazkesen is thought to be a social case which requires an in-depth analysis. The association that concerns human life, which is the every time interest of architecture, has brought about a number of critiques, as well. These critiques are primarily based on the constituted relationship between the both sides of habitants and their adaptation process to new conditions. In terms of this study, it is vital to examine how the gentrifiers ’ adaptation proceed and what their adaptation strategies are. While the research has two main focal points –a specific place (Bogazkesen street-Tophane) and a specific group of people (gentrifiers of the street)-, the traces will base on their relationship with the existing habitants and the existing lifestyle. In this respect, this research aims to examine the gentrification process of Bogazkesen which the discussion has undergone until today; and focuses to the adaptation process of gentrifiers. The research aims to observe the process by depth-analysis and interviews with gentrifiers. In addition, ‘gentirification’, ‘adaptation’ and ‘acculturation’ which are critical notions for the research, are theoretically researched up for discussion, in which relations between gentrifiers and existing habitants are inquired. It is attempted to narrate the process from the press and through the depth-analysis through gentirifiers at the end of the study.