Studentification through a Turkish planning lens: Geographical and regulatory insights

The concept of studentification, often discussed as a form of gentrification, has been predominantly studied in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, where globally prominent universities and market-driven higher education systems prevail. While recent studies have begun to introduce geographical diversity, the planning dimensions of studentification remain underexplored. This paper examines the dynamics of studentification in the case of İzmir Katip Çelebi University in İzmir, Türkiye, highlighting differences between the Anglophone literature (UK, US, Canada) and the Turkish contexts. In Türkiye, rapid university expansion, limited state-provided accommodation, and a planning system that has yet to integrate student housing into its strategic framework have shaped distinct conditions for studentification. The findings indicate that local authorities have not developed proactive, plan-led responses, and strategic and spatial plans lack measures to address the social and spatial consequences of the growing student population. Drawing insights from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, this paper proposes recommendations to enhance regulatory frameworks, strengthen compliance standards, and support municipalities in addressing the challenges of studentification in Türkiye.

Keywords: Gentrification, HMOs, Izmir, planning policies; studentification.