Socio-spatial problems of users in urban regeneration practices at slum areas - Example of Kadifekale

"Urban regeneration" is a concept on which various researches and discussions are done in different parts of the world as well as in Turkey in recent years. When literature is examined, it is seen that diverse research dealing with conceptual, economic, geographical and legal extents are done in the urban regeneration projects conducted in slum areas. But, in the researches of urban regeneration of Izmir samples, insufficiency in investigation of social extent of urban regeneration practice in slum areas attracts attention. In this research, unlike from the others done before, following a completed urban regeneration project, it is intended to determine the socio-spatial problems experienced by the inhabitants together with the effect-cause-arbiter and to fulfil a lack in literature by proposals developed to examine these problems effecting the inhabitants. In this research, urban regeneration concept and struggle with slum is analysed on Kadifekale Urban Regeneration Project and the socio- spatial problems during regeneration and afterwards experienced by the target inhabitants defined as the local people who were moved to Uzundere Corporate Housing from Kadifekale are determined by questionnaire technique as quantitative research method, one-by-one conversation as qualitative research method, and analysis of focus group meetings. Eventually in this research, it is detected that compulsorily "moved" local people experienced social and local means of problems besides economic difficulties after the urban transformation of Kadifekale slum area because of its characteristic of disaster exposure. It is possible to say that there are some physical positive contributions to the area after the project. But, in social means, it is clearly seen that "isolation", "alienation", "not feeling well" occasions/feelings are effective on the inhabitants. Because of this reason, the identified conclusion is confronted that the objective success of the project in socio- spatial means is not achieved in full. Keywords : Slum, Urban, Urban Regeneration, Kadifekale, Socio-Spatial Problems, Izmir Urban Regeneration Applications.