Reconstructing Home: Housing Pathways and Settlement Strategies of Skilled Syrian Refugees in Fatih District, Istanbul

This article examines housing pathways of skilled Syrian refugees in Istanbul, primarily drawing on Clapham’s framework. It is also supported by Sen’s capabilities approach and a multiscalar perspective. Based on 80 semi-structured interviews with skilled refugees, established residents, and local actors in Fatih, a qualitative content analysis was conducted to compare pathway dynamics under shared housing market and governance conditions. The findings reveal that housing is a strategic tool for reconstructing life, but faces barriers related to affordability and discrimination. Pathways are characterised by ruptures and junctures that impact the transition from capacity to capability, explaining variations in stability.