Transportation experiences of Syrian refugees under the clampdown of poverty, social exclusion and spatial segregation

摘要

As the civil war in Syria forced a large part of the population to leave the country, Turkey became one of the countries which were affected most by this migration flow. It is known that the refugees are confronted in Turkey with threats posed by poverty, spatial segregation and social exclusion. However, transportation/accessibility which is a crucial element for promoting economic and socio-cultural integration by eliminating these threats is often neglected. In this respect, the study aims to explore the transportation experiences of Syrian refugees who are characterized as a disadvantaged group. For this purpose, by surveying and performing in-depth interviews through a mixed methodological approach, an evaluation was made on Alt?ndag? district of Ankara province of Turkey around which Syrian refugees were clustered. The obtained findings reveal that refugees had a serious problem of transportation and accessibility, failed to participate in urban activities at the desired level, and the poverty and exclusion from activities along with the lack of transportation affected mostly female participants very badly. The spatial segregation reinforces the sense of belonging among refugees, nevertheless, their isolation restricts their relations with the local society, and their withdrawal from the society further deepens their exclusion from the transportation service.