Towards a New Urban Praxis: Reading The New Concept of Practice Through Socio-spatial Outlook to Urban Refugees: Cases of Önder and Ulubey Neighborhoods, Ankara

In recent years, in response to global changes and the emergence of urban social movements, new urban codes and new public space practices have emerged. The phenomenon of migration, which is driven by the pursuit of improved living conditions, represents a significant challenge for many countries in the contemporary era. The countries from which people emigrate and those to which they migrate are subject to economic and social repercussions. Furthermore, the global capitalist economy has rendered migration a ubiquitous phenomenon in contemporary societies. Another facet of the phenomenon of migration is what is defined as forced migration, which has emerged as a significant issue for numerous countries. This is due to a number of factors, including internal or external and internal conflicts, and environmental disasters. As the global society grapples with the intensifying refugee crisis, which has become one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century, nearly all individuals in the urban areas are confronted with substantial shifts in the urban texture. Moreover, the Syrian migration, representing the most significant instance of mass and forced migration in recent years, has had a considerable impact on numerous countries, particularly those in close proximity. Turkey has been identified as a crucial partner for Syrian asylum seekers due to its strategic geographical position, which affords it a unique ability to facilitate the resettlement of refugees. In particular, both citizens and newcomers in Turkey are confronted with significant socio-spatial alterations. While urban environments are also affected by this social trend and the emergence of the term “urban refugee,” as well as the struggle for survival of these individuals, it is necessary to adopt a more expansive perspective in order to examine the emerging practice of urban space and its associated crises in a manner that is socially inclusive. In this context, this research presents a Lefebvrian analysis of the new socio-spatial fabric that has emerged in Önder and Ulubey neighborhoods (referred to as “Syrian Neighborhoods” henceforth) in Ankara, Turkey. This field-based research employs an empirical approach, including the use of in-depth interviews and focus groups, epistemological qualitative methodology, and a critical approach, to investigate the ways in which socially produced space is reshaped in the context of urban crises in neighborhoods where urban refugees settle as a result of forced migration.