Özet:
Housing satisfaction is a complex concept that attracts researchers from
various disciplines such as economics, sociology and planning. The studies
in the literature show that housing satisfaction refers to more than physical
satisfaction from the dwelling (e.g. Fried and Gleicher, 1961; Duncan, 1971;
Kasarda and Janowtz, 1974; Galster and Hesser, 1981; Lu, 1999; Burby
and Rohe, 1990; Kamp et al., 2003; Parkes et al., 2002; Kelekci and Berköz,
2006; and Erdoğan et al., 2007). It includes satisfaction from environmental
setting, quality and aesthetic aspects (e.g. Varaday, 1983; Enosh et al., 1984;
Cook; 1988; Burby and Rohe, 1990; and Kamp et al., 2003), satisfaction
from the economic value of housing (e.g. Varady and Carroza, 2000; and
Boyle and Kiel, 2001), community satisfaction (e.g. Kasarda and Janowtz,
1974; Galster and Hesser, 1981; Parkes et al., 2002; and Erdoğan et al.,
2007), and satisfaction from urban services in the housing environment
(e.g. Onibokun, 1974; Campbell et al., 1976; Fried, 1982; Türkoğlu, 1997;
and Kelekci and Berköz, 2006). Although these dimensions shape the
overall housing satisfaction, its definition is a subjective and contextdependent
phenomenon (Campbell et al., 1976; Bardo and Hughey, 1984;
Wiesenfeld, 1992; Lu 1999). It depends on the current conditions, needs
and characteristics of inhabitants. With the help of this understanding, this
study intends to reveal the content of housing satisfaction for a specific
group.
This paper aims to explore dimensions of housing satisfaction from the
perceptions of rural migrants. This exploratory research was designed as
a case study in the Dikmen district which is one of the oldest rural migrant
settlements in Ankara. Currently, in the district, rural migrants who
convey both rural and urban characteristics live in both squatter housing
neighborhoods and former squatter housing neighborhoods transformed
through improvement plans and urban transformation projects (Kahraman,
2008). This study investigates the perceptions of rural migrants livingin physically different neighborhoods of the Dikmen district in order to
demonstrate the diversities when defining housing satisfaction within the
same district. By this way, in defining housing satisfaction, it uncovers
the differences and similarities in perceptions of rural migrants living in
squatter houses, and apartment buildings built in improvement plans and
urban transformation projects.
This paper contributes to the existing literature in two ways. Firstly, it
enriches housing literature theoretically. It extends the meaning and
dimensions of housing satisfaction by exposing housing satisfaction
perceptions of rural migrants. Secondly, the study has the potential to
contribute to the literature practically. Uncovering factors affecting the
housing satisfaction of inhabitants takes a critical role in increasing the
quality of housing layout and environment, and quality of life. Therefore,
the results of this study may assist architects, city planners, and housing
authorities in designing and constructing more qualified, sensitive and
livable housing settings with reference to the needs and expectations of
rural migrants.
This paper includes four major parts. The first part reviews the literature
on housing satisfaction presenting various indicators and dimensions of
housing satisfaction. The second part summarizes the changing features
and lifestyles of rural migrants in relation to the history of squatter housing
transformation. The third part of this paper discusses the case study
applied in a squatter housing neighborhood, and former squatter housing
neighborhoods transformed through improvement plans and an urban
transformation project located in the Dikmen district in Ankara; including
the contextual setting of the study area, the data collection and data
analysis processes, and the findings of the analytical procedures. The last
part presents the summary and discusses the findings and contributions of
the study in relation to the existing literature.