Romani people living in Şen Mahalle react to urban transformation

The urban transformation that came to the agenda in Sarıgöl Neighborhood, known among the public as ‘Şen Mahalle’ in Gaziosmanpaşa, continues rapidly in 2006. However, the Romani people living in the neighborhood are reacting to this situation.

Those who cannot buy a house from the luxury housing built in the shantytown where mostly Romani people live are forced to leave their neighborhood. Romani people whose houses have not yet been demolished also said that they do not want to leave their neighborhood because they are worried that they will be discriminated against in places where they will rent.

Sarıgöl Neighborhood in Gaziosmanpaşa district, where urban transformation is taking place, was visited within the scope of the Rodimata Project carried out jointly by the Zero Discrimination Association and the Social Change Association. Many academics, representatives of civil society organizations, activists and journalists who visited Sarıgöl Neighborhood, known as ‘Şen Mahalle’ and mostly inhabited by Romani people, listened to the troubles of the neighborhood. The residents who came together in the mosque explained the changes that have taken place in Şen Mahalle since the urban transformation began in 2006.

IT’S NOT EXPULSION, WHAT IS IT?

Speaking about the latest situation in Şen Mahalle, former President of Sarıgöl Romani Association Şadi Çatı said that there was a demolition decision for 650 houses, 250 of which were demolished. Şadi Çatı, who said that 350 households out of 1200 had left the neighborhood, said that the purchasing power of the neighborhood would not be enough for newly built luxury houses and said the following:

“This place is supposed to be a swimming pool. How are you going to pay for this place with the site expenses that will increase every year, by giving 20-30 thousand liras to these people. How is this not a transformation, this ‘expulsion’? What is it?”

WE ARE BEING DESPAIRED

In the meeting organized within the scope of the Rodimata project, where the needs and demands of the Romani communities are determined, Şadi Çatı said, “There is a living Romani culture here. When 3 people go here, 5 people go there, they are killing this culture as well. The language is gone, the culture is gone, everything is gone.” Neighborhood resident Filiz Demirseven also said that they are despised in the places they rent because of their Romani identity. Demirseven said, “We are despised a lot in the rented houses we go to because ‘they are Romani.’ That is why we are humiliated everywhere. We want to stay in our homes. We do not know where we will go, we will be despised again.”

CROWDED LIVES IN SMALL HOUSES

While the demolitions continue in Şen Mahalle, which was declared a “disaster risk area” by the decision of the Council of Ministers dated December 15, 2013, the luxury residences built by Acar City are rising on the other. Those who cannot buy a flat in the project leave their homes after taking the price set for their shanty house. However, many households living in the same house as a crowded population are forced to share the given amount among family members. Şadi Çatı explains the situation as follows:

“Except for 6-7 people, there is no one with an income over a thousand liras. People here get by on an average of 300 TL. Since they cannot buy a house in newly built houses, they either move somewhere else or take 20 thousand liras and leave.” The young people of Sarıgöl neighborhood stated that they had to rent and said, “They gave ten billion for our house. They took our house. Now we are struggling with rent. We have difficulty paying.” Neighborhood resident Halil İbrahim Arslan said, “They are forcibly taking people’s houses from them. They give a very small amount. The 40-50 thousand liras given is shared among 5 heirs. Where can these people go with 10 thousand liras each?” Another Sarıgöl neighborhood resident said, “The municipality does not show us a place. He gives the money, says ‘get out’, and sends the bulldozer. Those who leave their homes rent. Those who leave regret it,” he said.

WHAT ARE THESE BUILDINGS IF THEY ARE NOT EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT

Hakan Sert, who makes a living as a musician, said that they received 30 thousand liras for their homes and said, “There were 3 families living there. We received 30 thousand liras. They said, ‘This place is not earthquake resistant.’ If it is not earthquake resistant, where did these 30 floors come from?” Erol İris, who stated that he has been living in Sarıgöl for years, said, “We still haven’t learned the unit price of our places. We are suspicious. We don’t know what we will buy or what they will give. We don’t find this democratic. Let them announce the prices, let’s run and give our houses away.”

THERE IS A DIRECT INTERVENTION IN THE RIGHT TO LIFE HERE

Architect Korhan Gümüş, who conducted research in neighborhoods where urban transformation is taking place, explained the situation in Sarıgöl as follows:

“There is a huge profit gap, an increase in value here. Because this is now the center of the city. If the administration is only market-oriented, it does everything it can to wipe out the people here. The second problem is that the people here have a weak political representation ability. There is a direct intervention in the right to life here.”

THE SHADOW OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD: RUBBLE PILES

In Sarıgöl neighborhood, located right across from the Vialand amusement park that opened last year, the construction of "Sarıgöl City Residences" continues. However, the piles of rubble from the construction threaten those living in the neighborhood. Lives continue next to the piles of rubble where there are no signs or obstacles. There is no security around the buildings being constructed