The Politics of Uncertainty
The Politics of Uncertainty

Perceptions of Urban Transformation in an Internal Migrant Neighbourhood of Istanbul

Summary/Abstract: One of the biggest fears faced by humanity is being deprived of shelter; even the risk of losing one’s home creates crisis and conflicts within communities. This article investigates the effects of a programme of urban transformation still in its planning stages on the beliefs and behaviours of residents in an informal neighbourhood of Istanbul. I argue that the analysis of reactions to a crisis must be preceded by understanding of how the crisis is perceived; mechanisms for the resolution of present uncertainty condition future action. To this end, I analyse the sources of uncertainty about the neighbourhood’s future and then consider how that uncertainty is resolved. Divisions and conflicts of interest among the neighbourhood’s economic and social leaders, along with ambiguity of urban law and transformation projects, are the chief sources of uncertainty. The message spread by socially embedded activists of the ruling party is the principal means of its resolution.

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