THE CASE: INNER CITY RESIDENTIAL DECLINE IN TUZCU DISTRICT, iZMIR
Izmir, as the third largest city of Turkey, has experienced rapid urbanization especially since the 1950s when
the migration started from the rural areas. In parallel to general development pattern of Turkey, urban areas in
izmir has intensely and rapidly transformed as being subject to all manner of economic restructuring process and
the uneven flows of capital through the built environment because of the increasing hegemony of capital on
urbanization process particularly over the past two decade. Recent shifts include the emergence of new industrial
and financial spaces, the large-scale construction of private apartments and gated communities for middle-upper
income households, and large scale supermarkets and so on. With the effects of this newly development areas,
Izmir has been experiencing urban decline especially at the old, residential, and central parts.
The Tuzcu District as being one of the oldest residential areas of izmir, located at the east of the Kemaralti
Historical Center, has also experienced the urban decline phenomenon (See Map 1). Kemeralti historical center
and the surroundings called transition area are the central areas of izmir. Especially in the 18th and 19th centuries,
these areas were important in terms of the trade and production activities, and also of the residential functions for
the wealthier groups. (Kiray, 1972; Sonmez, 2001).
Before the 1970s, the majority of the population living in this neighborhood consisted of wealthy and
prestigious groups, who were employed in especially the prestigious jobs such as doctor, lawyer, and engineer.
Therefore the quality of life and the average level of income was very high until the 1970 in comparison to the
conditions of today. The main reason of the choosing this neighborhood is that it is one of the latest
neighborhoods where the declining process has begun. According to the studies of Aydar and Kiray (1987, 1972
cited in Sonmez 2001), while the high and middle level income groups had lived until 1972, Tuzcu District had
transformed as a place that concentrated poor groups employing marginal jobs in 1987. In other words, Tuzcu
district had begun to transform especially at the beginning of 1970s.
Map 1: Location of the Tuzcu District in izmir
(Source: Prepared from the City Guide, Greater Municipality of izmir, 2004)