Immigration, Residential Segregation and Integration: An Assessment for Turkish Cities

Research on segregation focuses on immigrants because of societal concerns that segregation may hamper the integration process, leaving newcomers excluded from the wider society. Although the spatial segregation of ethnocultural groups in Turkish cities has not attracted much attention, the refugee flows, especially incurred by the war in Syria, have added a new dimension to the spatial segregation pattern. This review article aims to contribute to political and academic debates on spatial segregation in Turkish cities. This article is based on the analysis of scientific studies and media news coverage of immigrant and refugee residential segregation in Turkish cities. Poverty, intra-group social capital use, solidarity and support, the desire to maintain common cultural norms and practices, and proximity to possible job opportunities impact immigrant and refugee residential segregation in Turkish cities. However, recently, exclusion and discrimination have also been causes of segregation. Refugee enclaves have been built in Turkish cities by the Syrians. The emergence of ethnic initiatives, an ethnic enclave economy in immigrant neighborhoods, and throughout their immediate vicinity in Turkish cities, all serve the needs of immigrants and create employment opportunities for the community members.