Integration process of urban refugees: Ankara / Altindağ case

Since the end of the Second World War, the largest forced migration movement was due to the war in Syria. Turkey was the most affected country by the migration that began with the arrival of 252 refugees in 2011 and increased considerably to nearly 3.6 million by the end of 2020. This study aims to study the relationship between the integration processes of the high Syrian refugee population and the housing problem. The Altındağ district -Önder, Ulubey, and Alemdağ neighborhoods- where Syrian refugees live densely were selected within the scope of the study. Besides the concepts of migration and refugee integration, the immigration of Syrians and the integration processes applied to them were examined, focusing on housing, which is one of the indicators of the integration of refugees. Between 18th June-16th July 2020, 77 households were surveyed and in-depth interviews were conducted with 4 Syrian opinion leaders in the sample area. Based on the findings got from the survey and in-depth interviews, the effect of the housing problem on the integration processes of Syrian refugees was discussed by associating it with the issues of education, health, and employment. As a result, the thesis reveals the most important reasons for settling refugees in Ankara and the studied neighborhoods. These neighborhoods have facilitated very good access to health and education services for refugees. Regarding employment, 75% of the refugees could find jobs, and Siteler Industrial Zone near the neighborhoods helped create much informal employment. In terms of housing, the results shed light on the difficulties refugees face in accessing quality and adequate housing. However, the old physical structure of the neighborhood helped to provide low-cost housing for refugees. On the other hand, just as these neighborhoods played a role in hosting and integrating previous internal migrations, these neighborhoods are considered a positive transition to integrate the Syrian refugees into the city of Ankara.