Combating urban poverty: A qualitative studyin the case of Ardahan province

This thesis examines the deepening poverty problem in Ardahan—one of Turkey's small border provinces—alongside urbanization and economic transformations from a diverse and qualitative perspective. The main objective of the thesis is to understand local poverty dynamics through the case of Ardahan, evaluate the policies in this field within the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and offer concrete policy recommendations. The first chapter of the thesis focuses on the conceptual and theoretical foundations of poverty. In this section, monetary, capability, social exclusion, and participatory approaches are discussed in detail. Furthermore, by examining absolute-relative and chronic-transitory types of poverty, the underlying economic, socio-cultural, and political factors of poverty are systematically analyzed. In addition, the concept of urban poverty, its relationship with sustainability, and its political, physical, environmental, and economic impacts on the sustainability of cities are emphasized, followed by the theoretical framework headings. In this context, the urban poverty alleviation policies of global actors such as the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations, as well as the evolution of urban poverty in Turkey from the pre-1980 era to the pandemic period, are comprehensively examined. The thesis consists of two chapters in total. The field research findings analyzed in the Second Chapter are based on a qualitative research method. The universe of the study comprises impoverished individuals residing in the city center of Ardahan and public personnel involved in poverty alleviation efforts. The fieldwork was conducted through semi-structured in-depth interviews with a total of 30 participants, consisting of 24 low-income residents living in the Ardahan city center and 6 officials from public institutions. The research findings reveal that urban poverty in Ardahan has its own unique socio-spatial vulnerabilities. Factors such as the cold climate, precarious employment, and seasonal labor form the core building blocks of these vulnerabilities. Based on the findings, the study specifically focuses on how the targets of SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 4 (Quality Education) are reflected at the local level. By addressing the experience of urban poverty and the inadequacy of institutional interventions in the case of Ardahan, this thesis draws attention to the necessity of implementing holistic and inclusive social policy mechanisms at the local level. The policy recommendations emphasized within the framework of the SDGs focus specifically on transformations in the areas of Employment and Economic Development, Education, Housing, and Inclusive Social Policies, aiming to provide a sustainable and long-term roadmap for combating poverty in Ardahan.