We Presented Our Research Report “Transit, Temporary, and Permanent Lives in Istanbul” to Istanbul Governor Davut Gül

The presentation of the research report titled “Transitory, Temporary, and Permanent Lives in Istanbul: “Diverse Future Plans and Socialization Dynamics of Registered and Unregistered Migrants”, conducted by the Department of Sociology at Ibn Haldun University, was held on Tuesday, August 19, at our university with the participation of Istanbul Governor Davut Gül. The final report of the study was presented by the project coordinators Prof. Dr. Ramazan Aras and Assist. Prof. Rahime Arzu Ünal. In addition to our university delegation led by our Rector Prof. Dr. Atilla Arkan, the meeting was also attended by Istanbul Deputy Governor Yücel Gemici, Başakşehir District Governor Cemil Özgür Öneği, and Provincial Director of Migration Management Hüseyin Kemal İlday.

The research covers Syrian, Afghan, and Sub-Saharan African migrants living in Istanbul’s Fatih, Zeytinburnu, and Esenyurt districts. To this end, data collected through in-depth interviews with 174 migrants and a workshop with 23 representatives from 19 non-governmental organizations were analyzed. The report presents migrants’ migration stories, everyday life experiences, socialization practices, and future plans, supported by narrative analyses focusing on ethnic and cultural dynamics.

In the presented report, findings regarding migrants’ housing, socialization, access to healthcare services, social integration, and future plans were shared, while policy recommendations aimed at facilitating integration—such as language education, housing, access to healthcare, legal status arrangements, and psychosocial support—were also evaluated.