Gentrification
All topics-
Turkeyʹs Middle East exiles
Istanbul – the Arab worldʹs beacon on the Bosphorus
Istanbul has become a refuge for many Arab communities – including the Muslim Brotherhood – but its cosmopolitan ways are also changing them. By Mohanad Hage Ali
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Urban renewal under Erdogan
Istanbul shantytown residents in limbo
Amid recent fears of earthquakes, Turkey has rolled out a new urban renewal plan. But past plans have failed to helped quake-prone neighbourhoods, due to a market dominated by construction firm interests. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
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Islam and business
Diyanet – Turkey's religious authority that makes millions
Turkey's highest religious authority brings in huge profits, say experts. But as a historic brewery in Istanbul faces demolition, critics argue that such profiteering is not in line with Islam. By Aram Ekin Duran
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The Arter, art and gentrification
Modern art makeover in Istanbul?
A new modern art museum recently opened its doors at the heart of Istanbul's working-class Dolapdere neighbourhood. An opportunity for this culturally diverse quarter or a threat in an area recognised as a social flashpoint? Ulrich von Schwerin reports on the relationship between art, commerce and gentrification on the Bosphorus
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Interview with anthropologist Dieter Haller
Tangiers – end of a cosmopolitan era
Two years on from the publication of his book "Tangier: port, people and pleasure – an ethnographic study", anthropologist Dieter Haller met with Karima Ahdad to discuss the clash between indigenous inhabitants and newcomers, Tangierʹs international outlook against the backdrop of the city today and the desire of young Moroccans to emigrate
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Urban development in Tunisia
Keeping the speculators out of Tunis
While there is a gradual reawakening of interest among the inhabitants of the Tunisian capital in their historical old town, the cityʹs colonial districts are at risk of falling prey to property speculators. Sarah Mersch on the development of Tunis
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Diyarbakir and the Turkish military offensive
The spoils of urban warfare
The Turkish military operation brought death and destruction to the historic heart of Diyarbakir. Now, there has been a sudden decision to nationalise the neighbourhood – sounding alarm bells for its historic legacy. By Sonja Galler
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Urban appropriation in Jerusalem
Mamilla and the Tower of David
The Jerusalem district of Mamilla, located between West Jerusalem and the Old City, is an outstanding example of how urban planning decisions alter the public space and create a new visual reality with great political resonance. Felix Koltermann took a look around
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Gentrification in Egypt
Urban counter-revolution in Cairo
The "Reclaiming Downtown" campaign launched by the Egyptian government is no ordinary measure designed to advance the gentrification of the Cairo city centre. It is instead a politically motivated drive against any form of opposition and civilian autonomy. The "backyard of the revolution" is to be refurbished and its revolutionary history wiped out. By Sofian Philip Naceur
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Interview with the Turkish Roma musician ″Balik″ Ayhan Kucukboyaci
″We Roma are more than just entertainers″
Ayhan Kucukboyaci, better known as Balik Ayhan (Fish Ayhan), is one of Turkey′s most famous Roma musicians. He also works to preserve the Romani culture. Ceyda Nurtsch talked to him about the demolition of the world′s oldest Roma settlement, Sulukule, and the situation for Roma in Turkey
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Anti-construction protests in Turkey
″Reclaim Istanbul!″ – policy vs. architecture
Turkey′s construction industry is booming. As a key pillar of the nation's economy, President Erdogan's ambitious goal is to ensure it catapults Turkey into the world's top ten economies by 2023. But the AKP's ″urban transformation project″ has many downsides. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Life in the West Bank
The changing face of Ramallah
After the signing of the Oslo I Accord in 1993, Ramallah, the de-facto capital of the Palestinian Authority, became the biggest per-capita recipient of aid in the world. This, coupled with the influx of investment, turned the city into something of a boomtown. Ramallah's vibrant nightlife and work opportunities with international organisations have attracted many young people from the periphery of Palestine, but also criticism from those who ask how an occupied city can be so seemingly oblivious to what is happening just a few kilometres away or so willing to build over the city's heritage. By Ylenia Gostoli