8. Transformation in Residential Areas: Regeneration or Redevelopment?

Transformation of urban residential areas has always been an important issue for urban planners and policy-makers. Starting in 1923, with the foundation of the Turkish Republic, residential development became an important issue along with the problems brought about by rapid urbanisation. Major Turkish metropolitan cities like Ankara, İzmir, and İstanbul have undergone transformation more than ever since the 1980s. Along with the problems of city centre transformation, changes in the residential areas of these cities have been an important challenge to planners and policy-makers. With increasing importance, urban transformation projects have been the main tools to realise residential transformation. They have even replaced urban development plans in some instances. On the other hand, since 2002 the construction sector has been the driving force behind the economy, increasing the importance of urban transformation. Ankara is representative of other cities in Turkey. In this chapter, urban transformation in Ankara is described with reference to economic development, legislative changes, and the housing sector of the whole country. The emphasis will be on the last two periods of development, starting with the 1980s, in which major challenges in urban transformation are rooted.