Defne Kadıoğlu Polat

Defne Kadıoğlu Polat is a Political Scientist and works on issues of urban transformation and social exclusion. She is currently a Mercator Stiftung-IPC Fellow at Sabancı University, Istanbul.

Did Erdoğan finally get his Gezi?

Could this be a win-win situation for Erdoğan and the AKP: able to enhance their power while reinstating their organic relationship with the people?

By Defne Kadıoğlu Polat

/ 26 Jul 2016

The gentrification-education cycle in Istanbul’s gated communities

Any encounters that exist between newcomers and long-term inhabitants end at the school gate.

By Defne Kadıoğlu Polat and Çetin Çelik

/ 15 Mar 2016

Sur: urban renewal in the Southeast Anatolian war zone

While the Turkish government claims that all original residents will be able to return to Sur, it is likely that, similar to what happened in New Orleans, many of those who have fled will not come back.

By Defne Kadıoğlu Polat

/ 21 Jan 2016

What neighbourhood and gentrification mean for Berlin immigrants

Even without the threat of racism, many immigrants are unhappy about changing their neighbourhood.

By Defne Kadıoğlu Polat

/ 10 Sep 2015

What neighbourhood and gentrification mean for Berlin immigrants

Even without the threat of racism, many immigrants are unhappy about changing their neighbourhood.

By Defne Kadıoğlu Polat

/ 10 Sep 2015