CityLab - Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees in Cities

CityLabs offer learning opportunities by bringing together diverse knowledge and expertise, creating spaces for collaborative knowledge creation, promoting a dynamic link between learning and action, and transforming conventional practices related to urban sustainability between the government and academia (Culwick et al., 2019).

In this specific CityLab, the UNIC team at Koc University focused on the theme "Diversity and Inclusion: Integrating migrants and refugees into city life in Istanbul." The aim was to understand and identify the underlying issues and stakeholders involved in order to make a positive societal impact.

The research process involved students conducting interviews with 10 stakeholders from various sectors, including NGOs, relevant academic institutions, and municipal representatives. This was done to identify the root causes of the problem through preparatory research, interactive workshops, and desk-based research.

During the workshop, a facilitator guided the discussion, and participants were divided into "theme groups" based on their experience and interests. All participants contributed to finalizing the problem tree, which helped to visualize and analyze the identified issues.

Prior the workshop day, students and academics engaged in prior research to consider what the direct causes and effects of the problem.

1-7 May: Call for participation via newsletter (KUDaily) and emails Listing potential contributors and participants for the CityLab Listing stakeholders for interview

7-15 May: Sending interview emails & desk-based research

15-31 May: Engaged research by students

1-15 June: Preparation for the City Lab; Finalizing the draft and impact gap canvas

Pop-up CityLab: June 25, 2021 - PROGRAM

13:00-13.05 – Entry of participants to Zoom 13:05-13.15 – Opening Speech Ahmet İçduygu, MiReKoc Director, Koç University Political Science and Sociology Faculty Member 13:15-13:25 – “Istanbul Experience in Migration Governance” Simten Birsöz İnanç, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Migration Unit Coordinator 13:25-13:35 – “Impact-Oriented Problem Solving” Gonca Ongan, Director of KUSIF (Koc University Social Impact Forum) 13:35-13:45 – Workshop Format and Separation of Groups Birce Altıok, MiReKoc, Koç University UNIC Team 13:45-14:10 – Presentation of preliminary research findings: Student presentations 5 group presentations via Miro (1) Political; (2) Social; (3) Cultural/Religious; (4) Economic; (5) Legal 14:10-14:15 - Attendees' entry to Zoom Breakout rooms (1) Political; (2) Social; (3) Cultural/Religious; (4) Economic; (5) Legal 14:15-14:30 - Break 14:30-15:15 – Finalizing the problem tree Moderation: • Political Group: Birce Demiryontar, MiReKoc • Social: Gonca Ongan, KUSIF • Cultural/Religious: Muhammed Yunus Aktaş, KUSIF • Economic: Merve Güney, KUSIF • Legal: Birce Altıok, MiReKoc 15:15-15:25 Contribution and free time between groups (Miro) • Contribution to the work of other groups (post-it) • Contribution to the suggestion and comment section 15:25-15:50 – Reunion of all participants and group summaries Discussion Highlights Questions/answers 15:50-16:00 – Closing speeches