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Forced Migration and Coexistence



Author(s)

Derya Bakbak

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DOI:10.17265/2159-5313/2018.03.005

Syrian refugees in Gaziantep—because of turmoil in home country are slowly integrating into local society; however, social process is easy neither for them nor for the locals. Two cultures emerged as a result of presence of cultural values and lifestyles of both the locals and refugees. Refugees, initially hesitant upon arrival, gradually settled and changed in behaviours, goals, and expectations. Due to changing social climate, local residents experienced a greater amount of anxiety toward various aspects of social life. Aim of this study is to identify and, subsequently, eliminate issues of social integration experienced by refugees in Gaziantep to promote peaceful coexistence between them and the locals. To achieve these, it is necessary to analyze, in detail, needs and expectations of refugees to ensure that expectations of both refugees and residents are fulfilled. 185 adult refugees in Gaziantep and 80 adults in a camp were surveyed by researcher to understand expectations of refugees regarding social life. Playgrounds, sports areas, rest areas, car areas, pedestrian roads, parking lots, recreational facilities, mosques, condolence places, parks, shopping areas, cafes, and tea gardens were evaluated in survey. Questionnaires were graphically displayed in Microsoft Excel after being analyzed as percentage in SPSS program. This work displays that there is a need for good planning while evaluating capacity and expectations of social reinforcement areas in city, ensuring expectations of both refugees and city dwellers for social facilities to be used, telling of culture of city dwellers.

migration, refugee, coexistence, city dwellers, life style, expectation, culture, social areas