Exclusion of the vulnerable from public space in the shadow of urban transformation: the case of sex workers in Istanbul’s Pera

Abstract

This study examines the socio-spatial exclusion of sex workers in urban public spaces. It employs a multi-scale analysis of global frameworks and a local case study of Istanbul’s Pera quarter. Building on contemporary thinkers’ urban democracy and justice theories, the study reveals how urban spaces are frequently governed by majority- and authority-driven norms that marginalise vulnerable groups. Despite the global scale of the sex industry, social stigma and limited regulation perpetuate the spatial exclusion of sex workers. Using a four-step methodology ranging from international policy analysis to site-specific mapping, the study uncovers the impact of urban transformation on the displacement of sex workers in Pera. It argues for inclusive urban policies and spatial justice to ensure equitable access to public spaces for marginalised populations.