Study of urban transformation practices within the frame of just city approach to planning: The case of Esenler district of Istanbul

One of the significant fields of study of the city planning discipline is urban transformation projects. With the transformation, the use of normative and social ground, which enables cities? functioning, in favor of physical or economic structure has become an issue of debate since the early days of use of the concept of urban transformation. In this respect, it can be observed through various theoretical discussions that the planning discipline?s effort is based on normative phenomena rather than a rational quest. One of the approaches through which these discussions can be observed is the discourse of ?just city?. The just city approach which is based on the political-economy perspective, which emphasizes social inequalities, has become a more intensive matter of debate after 2000?s and thanks to the just city approach, justice in urban development, urban renewal and urban transformation practices, a normative phenomenon, emerges in city planner?s agenda. Through this way, the approach of just city has made an effort to develop an alternative to the neo-liberal perspective. The approach of just city discusses the phenomenon of justice related with equality, variety and democracy, and suggests some principles for city planners and the decision makers in the cities. The purpose of this study is to discuss new tendencies in the literature of city planning and to examine Havaalanı Neighborhood (Esenler/İstanbul) Urban Transformation Project with reference to principles which just city approach propounds, which is the first urban transformation practice within the frame of the disaster transformation law no.6306. In accordance with the purpose, in the first part, literature search and data related to thesis?s purpose and findings are introduced. In the second part, regarding the city planning thought, model researches and through these models the approaches which propound normative assessments for planning process are examined. In the third part, considering city planning and the concept of justice, the approach of just city and components of this approach are discussed. In the fourth part, the processes of urban transformation and urban development of Havalaanı Neighborhood and Esenler District are examined. In the fifth part, with respect to the principles the just city approach propounds, the urban transformation practice in the Havaalanı Neighborhood is analyzed. Throughout the study, qualitative research methods are used, and made use of face-to-face interviews which were held with administrative actors, who are the implementers of the project, NGO?s which are active within the neighborhood/district and owners/tenants of houses/work places living within the region. In the sixth part, which is for the result and suggestions, the data stem from the field study are interpreted and some suggestions are developed inviting to consider the emphasizes related to the values concerning transformation practices, in which city planning has acquired a new dimension.