Kırılgan Mekânlar, Ayrışan Toplumlar: Pazarcık Örneği
Fragile Spaces, Segregated Societies: The Case of Pazarcık

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the patterns of socio-spatial segregation that have developed between Syrian refugees and the host community in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, within the context of migration and disaster processes. The research found that factors such as ethnicity, religious belief, and sense of belonging generate spatial clustering and social distance in both Syrian refugees and the host community. The concentration of Syrians in particular neighbourhoods and streets, driven by economic conditions, social networks, and feelings of belonging, has led to limitations in both intra-group interactions and their interactions with locals. This socio-spatial segregation, already evident before the earthquake, deepened further after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, as social tensions, security concerns, and exclusionary practices were reproduced in tent and container cities. The negative perceptions of Syrians among the host community, combined with perceived inequalities in the distribution of aid, have heightened these tensions, reinforcing both physical and social distance. The intra-group segregation among Syrians persisted as well, sustained by clustering patterns based on hometown networks and cultural affinity along ethnic and religious lines. When evaluated within the frameworks of Lefebvre’s theory of the production of space and Wacquant’s concept of architectural marginalisation, the findings show that space is not merely a residential area but also a realm where social relations, power dynamics, and exclusionary practices are produced. In conclusion, the study emphasises that spatial segregation is shaped not only by physical settlement strategies but also by social prejudices, political discourses, and cultural perceptions. It underlines the need for mixed residential models, inclusive social programmes, and the planning of shared public spaces in order to strengthen social cohesion.

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