nep-cwa New Economics Papers
on Central and Western Asia
Issue of 2015‒09‒18
24 papers chosen by
Christian Zimmermann
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

  1. Structural Models of Urban Regeneration in Emerging Markets-Turkey Case By M.Emre Camlibel; G. Alhanlioglu; D. Ugurlu
  2. Pricing of IPOs: The Unique Case of Turkish REITs By I. Erol; D. Tirtiroglu
  3. The Exchange Rate Uncertaınty On Foreıgn Trade: Evıdence From Panel Coıntegratıon Analysıs For Turkey By dogru, bulent
  4. Explaining Spatial Variation in Real Estate Development Activity in Turkey By E. Alkay; B. Keskin; C. Watkins
  5. Simultaneity between export and import flows and the Marshall–Lerner condition: the Turkish case (1998–2013) By Durmus Ozdemir; Mustafa Kemal Gundogdu
  6. Seventeenth Century Residential Real Estate Prices In Istanbul By A.Tugba Sengil
  7. Testing for Bubbles in Turkish Housing Markets: A Comparison of Alternative Methods By Y. Coskun; A. Alp; M. Ertugrul; U. Seven
  8. Industrial Decentralization As A Real Estate Development Project: Gebze Case By A.Nur Albayrak
  9. Finance in real estate education: example from the emerging market perspective By K.Yavuz Arslanli
  10. House Price and Rent Developments in Istanbul: 1988-2012 By A. Buyukduman
  11. A Comparative Study on REIT Returns in Istanbul Stock Exchange by Using Single Index and Fama-French Methods By S. Kestel; Y. Coskun; B. Yilmaz
  12. Institutions as key drivers of collective action in WUAs [Water User Associations] of Uzbekistan By Mochalova, Elizaveta; Anarbekov, Oyture; Kahhorov, U.
  13. An Integrated Optimization Model For Capital Allocation Of Energy Efficiency Measures Of Existing Buildings: A Case Study Of Bogazici University Kilyos Campus By B.(Tony) Ciochetti; M.Emre Camlibel
  14. Revisiting Office Rent Determinants : Development of the Istanbul Office Market in the Last Decade from Perspective of Real Estate Brokerage Firms By D. Pekdemir
  15. Socio-Spatial Transformation by Gated Communities on the peri-urban areas By M. Karaca; A.Ahu Akgün
  16. The Impacts of Real Estate Projects on Transformation of Centres in Izmir By M. Kaya; F.Gezici Korten
  17. Real Estate Valuation use in Urban Transformation Projects By M.Akif Levent; S. Adil; A. Gokbayrak
  18. Property Issues of Istanbul Seawalls By N. Semiz
  19. Relationship Between Urban Development And Housing Values: The Example Of Konya By M. Topcu
  20. How Shall the Governance of the Urban Renewal Projects at Historical Sites be Performed? - Example of the Izmir Kemeralti District By B.Kagan Esen
  21. Cash transfer as a social policy instrument or a tool of adjustment policy: from indirect subsidies (to energy and utilities) to cash subsidies in Iran, 2010-2014 By Meskoub, M.
  22. Sanctions and Exports Deflection: Evidence from Iran By Jamal Ibrahim Haidar
  23. Production Function of the Mining Sector of Iran By Seyyed Ali Zeytoon Nejad Moosavian
  24. Housing Market Annual Gross Yield Modelling: A Comparison between two dynamic markets (Istanbul and Dubai) By A. Hepsen; O. Aydin; O. Vatandas

  1. By: M.Emre Camlibel; G. Alhanlioglu; D. Ugurlu
    Abstract: Purpose - As a national movement, urban regeneration is the future of Turkish residential real estate market. In this paper, the models that let housing sector to make sustainable investments to urban regeneration are examined. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the structural models of urban regeneration projects take place in emerging markets from the perspective of Turkish examples. It estimates various business and financial models according to varying dynamics of Turkey’s recent urban regeneration projects. The paper demonstrates decision making approaches to utilize models that will fit better under changing circumstances. Design/methodology/approach - The paper reviews the differences of urban regeneration projects in developed and emerging markets. It explores the driving forces behind urban regeneration, legal infrastructure, and practices in Turkey specifically. It draws upon recent urban regeneration examples in Turkey. The paper analyses the existing models and proposes methods to choose the proper models that match with the varying dynamics. Findings - Urban regeneration needs are different for developed and emerging markets and even for each emerging markets. There is no one-fits-all model in urban regeneration projects. Various dynamics play roles in adoption of proper business and financing model in regeneration projects. Decision making process for the model that fits the project usually lacks systematic analysis. However, urban regeneration needs in emerging markets display similar characteristic as they stem from the same dynamics. Hence urban regeneration practices and models can be adapted to the projects of other emerging markets. In planning stage of urban regeneration projects while methods, resources and financing tools are being planned and allocated, a checklist and/or a flowchart consist of some critical questions addressing the proper business models can be used as decision making tools/approaches. Research limitations/implications - This paper is essentially exploratory and raises a number of questions for further investigation. There is scope to extend the research to examine other business development models and propose advanced decision making approaches addressing complicated factors. Originality/value - This is the first paper to examine business models in urban regeneration projects and accordingly propose decision making approaches for adopting the suitable model to follow.
    Keywords: Business Model; Decision Making; Emerging Markets; Financal Model; Urban Regeneration
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_142&r=all
  2. By: I. Erol; D. Tirtiroglu
    Abstract: The legal foundation of the Turkish Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) structure, put in place in 1995, is considerably different and more complex than those observed elsewhere and predates those in Singapore, Japan, France, and the UK. Our paper builds on the unique legal and institutional details about Turkish REITs, as elaborated in Erol and Tirtiroglu (2011), and studies the pricing of their initial public offerings (IPO) between 1996 and September 2014. Turkish REITs enjoy complete flexibility in their dividend policy while being exempted from corporate taxes and also exhibit a legally mandated concentrated ownership structure. Further, they have some legally allowed flexibility in the asset allocation of their portfolios. While Turkey exhibits substantial macroeconomic uncertainty early on, it abates quite visibly, even during the Global Financial Crisis, since mid-2000s. We document empirically underpricing in the late 1990s and early 2000s and then fair or overpricing in late 2000s and early 2010s. This finding differs from those of no underpricing for REIT IPOs from the US market beyond the late 1990s. As a control sample, we also focus on all non-REIT Turkish IPOs issued during the same sample period and offer comparative evidence on the pricing of REIT and non-REIT IPOs.
    Keywords: Concentrated Ownership; Dividend Payout; Ipo Pricing; Turkish Reits
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_21&r=all
  3. By: dogru, bulent
    Abstract: This study examines the impact of exchange rate uncertainty on bilateral trade between Turkey and 10 major trading partners, using FMOLS panel cointegration analysis and recently developed Westerlund panel cointegration test with multiple structural break for the annual data between 1985 and 2011. Empirical results suggest that the exchange rate uncertainty is an important determinant of foreign trade behavior, the exchange rate uncertainty generally deteriorates Turkish exports to many countries with the exception of the France and Germany, the depreciation in Turkish Lira stimulates export and discourage import, and an increment in domestic income stimulates the household and firm’s import demand. These findings will shed light in understanding the economic result of sudden increase and decrease in exchange rate.
    Keywords: : FMOLS, Westerlund panel cointegration test, foreign trade, uncertainty, EGARCH
    JEL: C33 F14 F31
    Date: 2015
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:66635&r=all
  4. By: E. Alkay; B. Keskin; C. Watkins
    Abstract: There is a strong policy discourse at local and national level in Turkey that ascribes considerable economic benefits to new construction activity. Critics, however, argue that this policy discourse has led to a mismatch between public policy and market fundamentals in many cities. It has been suggested that policy intentions might be driving construction levels above demand levels and could be contributing to uneven spatial development between regions. This paper seeks to shed light on this argument by systematically exploring the relationship between planning policy and development activity in 81 Turkish cities. The analytical framework draws on research undertaken by Bramley and Leishman (2005) and Henneberry et al (2005) on the relationship between public policy and market outcomes and has been adapted to take account of the institutional arrangements and policy instruments operating in Turkey. Drawing on data on economic activity, local social indicators, planning permissions and applications, and demographic change, the paper develops a cross-sectional econometric model that helps isolate the effects of planning policy from other drivers of construction activity. The second stage analysis uses to GIS methods and spatial statistics to develop an understanding of spatial variations in the drivers of development activity. The paper offers some tentative conclusions about the relationship between policy imperatives, market fundamentals and development activity.
    Keywords: Planning Policy; Real Estate Development; Spatial Variation
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_193&r=all
  5. By: Durmus Ozdemir (Department of Economics, Yasar University); Mustafa Kemal Gundogdu (Department of Economics, Istanbul Bilgi University)
    Abstract: This paper examines the Marshall–Lerner condition under the simultaneity of exports and import flows in the Turkish economy. Due to the high interdependence between ratios of export and import flows to GDP, the traditional version of the Marshall–Lerner condition is not sustained. In the case of Turkey, the long-term estimations of the price elasticities of exports and imports, and the respective cross elasticities, lead us to conclude that currency devaluation would, in the long run, improve the balance of trade.
    Keywords: Marshall–Lerner condition, price elasticity, Turkey, export and import flow simultaneity.
    JEL: F14 F11 F44
    Date: 2015–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:yas:dpaper:2015/01&r=all
  6. By: A.Tugba Sengil
    Abstract: This study is based on research about residential real estate prices of Istanbul in seventeenth century. City of Istanbul which located both Asia and Europe has history of approximately 9000 years. The earliest known settlement of Istanbul dates from 6700 BC at the historic peninsula on European Side. City centre of Istanbul in seventeenth century is also located in this area which is today known as Fatih and Eminonu districts and they are part of World’s Cultural Heritage. In seventeenth century, Istanbul had been part of Ottoman Empire since 1453. For centuries it was the capitol of economics, social life and administration of the Empire and then Republic of Turkey, although the last moved to Ankara after republic is established, yet importance of the city did remain.This study aims to determine how residential real estate market evolved in the long-run with historical perspective. It has discovered that not many studies are existed in the literature about real estates of Istanbul with historical perspective. Additionally this study is also expected to contribute to create a background/basic for further studies in similar subjects such as commercial real estates and different timelines. In order to achieve that a database of sales prices of residential real estates in Istanbul spanning the years from 1600-1699 are going to be put together. Sale registrations of Ottoman Central Istanbul Islamic Courts of seventeenth century provides a large scale of data about relevant subject. Using this database, decade-interval chances in real estate prices are planned to estimate. Moreover, reviewing effects of historical milestones to the house prices during specified period is a goal.As conclusion; in addition to appraising the residential real estate values of seventeenth century in Istanbul, city of average 700.000 population, through central districts, the city’s financial history is going to be explored, especially in terms of city’s residential facilities.
    Keywords: 17Th Century; Grand Bazaar; Istanbul; Residential Real Estate; Valuation
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_255&r=all
  7. By: Y. Coskun; A. Alp; M. Ertugrul; U. Seven
    Abstract: Real estate economy has showed unusual performance in last decade in Turkey. Growing house supply/sales, credit volume, and rising house prices have mostly marked as boom. The perception of housing boom has also raised concerns among local/inernational investors, consumers, and policy-makers. The objective of the paper is to present the findings of the first comprehensive bubble analysis of Turkish housing markets utilizing/comparing several alternative methods. In order to address research questions, the study established two research objectives, 1) To identify characteristic variables of a housing bubble analysis in the context of Turkish housing market, and 2) To emprically measure whether rising house prices have been justified by fundamental factors. The outcomes of the study provides critical knowledges to domestic/international stakeholders of Turkish housing (and real estate) market.
    Keywords: House Price; Housing Bubble; Mortgage; Residential Market; Turkey
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_58&r=all
  8. By: A.Nur Albayrak
    Abstract: Gebze has gained its industrial identity by the decentralization of industrial firms from Istanbul throughout the years and become one of the most important industrial centers in Turkey. But recently, transformation of industrial areas has come to the urban agenda in Gebze. In this context, the aim is to decentralize the industrial areas and to transform into qualified residential - urban facility areas. There are numerous examples of transformation of industrial areas in Istanbul and in other major cities in the literature. The area in Gebze (D-100 Road and its immediate surroundings), however, is a special case for including active manufacturing units and for the size of its scale. Such transformation will modify not only the industrial facility areas but also the social structure, production relations in the industry and employment structure in the region. Thus, the regional industry is expected to transform into high technology sectors. “The Information Valley†is about to established in addition to existing research institutions such as Gebze Technical University, GTU-TEKMER, TUBITAK-MAM and also GOSB Technopark.  This area has been declared as a “special project zone†in various urban and regional planning documents but the priority of such transformation on the other hand has not been clarified yet. The purpose of this study is to discuss the effects of urban transformation offered as a real estate development project on the city of Gebze. Following the introduction chapter presenting a theoretical framework for urban transformation, the second chapter reviews planning documents and compares foresights about Gebze. Interviews with the Chamber of Commerce and other local actors are presented in the third chapter. This chapter is organized in three headings. These are effects on production relations, modification of the labor structure and social vulnerabilities. The final chapter presents evaluations and recommendations for policy makers. It is important to demonstrate positive and negative aspects of possible effects of urban transformation on Gebze and to create an environment of discussion which ensures participation of local players. It is not possible to succeed in such a large scale transformation without the contributions of local actors.
    Keywords: Gebze; Industrial Transformation; Urban Transformation
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_150&r=all
  9. By: K.Yavuz Arslanli
    Abstract: Since the beginning of first Real Estate Master’s Program in Turkey 2001, real estate finance as a term has been changed and evolved by definition from space and asset market players. After 2007 mortgage system is introduced in the country and past 7 years market is demanding more knowledge and data in order to position itself to rapid changing of game rules from local and central governments. Among those changes the real estate finance course at Istanbul Technical University started a curriculum mostly from US perspective while strengthen the enrollment from Erasmus programs in EU. While most of the fundamentals of real estate finance stays the same, multidisciplinary backgrounds of the students provide different viewpoints and investment/ risk perception to be discussed throughout the year. In this paper, the survey data of Master’s Programme graduates and current students analyzed and discussed.
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2014–12–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2014_edu_112&r=all
  10. By: A. Buyukduman
    Abstract: The analysis regarding the housing prices could be made in the light of long-term data. However, because the indexes that have been produced recently in Turkey are limited to a short term, such long-term analysis could not be made. Building backward housing price indexes by analyzing the factors that affect the development of housing prices will bring about the analysis of not only the dynamics of the domestic housing market within the country but also a comparison of housing markets between our country and other countries of the world. The main purpose of this study is to close the gap of the index needed to evaluate the movement of housing prices in the city of Istanbul. For this purpose, the data about the sale and rent prices of houses within a selection of districts of Istanbul between 1988 and 2012, a time span of 25 years was gathered to construct the sale and rent index of houses. Proceeding from this index, the development of sale and rent prices has been examined; the long-term trends and the short-term fluctuations of housing prices have been determined and the interaction between the change in housing prices and other economic variables has been researched. In this study, it has been found out that the sale and rent prices are compatible with the city model in the sense that it is closed in the short term and open in the long term; that the housing supply in Istanbul has been elastic; that transportation solutions which do not lead to space friction could be produced; that housing prices move parallel to stock exchange and bond prices; and that there has been no house price bubble.
    Keywords: Asset Price; House Price Indices; Housing Bubble; Housing Supply; Price To Rent Ratio
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_287&r=all
  11. By: S. Kestel; Y. Coskun; B. Yilmaz
    Abstract: However its popularity has been rising recently, the root of Turkish REITs industry backs to mid-1990s. Representing the critical linkage between finance and real estate, the industry has special importance in Turkish financial and real estate sectors. In this study, the performance of REITs return, in Istanbul Stock Exchange for the period 2008-2013, is analyzed by defining its determinants and comparing the efficiency of single index and Fama-French three factor models. There are three main contributions in this study. As the first in Turkish REITs literature, a major contribution of the study is to show differences of the return variability on individual stock returns based on single index and Fama- French models. From a practical contribution perspective, this study may have wider application and provide a tool for critical decision-making in the REITs portfolio management. The study also provides information to the investors who are willing to get benefit from diversification by investing in REITs. Initial outcomes suggest that REIT return may show difference according to proposed model and macroeconomic and real estate market related variables may have specific effects on return variability.
    Keywords: Fama-French Three Factor Model; Portfolio Management; REITs; Risk Diversification; Single Index Model
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_18&r=all
  12. By: Mochalova, Elizaveta; Anarbekov, Oyture; Kahhorov, U.
    Abstract: This paper presents a multifactor approach for performance assessment of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in Uzbekistan in order to identify the drivers for improved and efficient performance of WUAs. The study was carried out in the Fergana Valley where the WUAs were created along the South Fergana Main Canal during the last 10 years. The farmers and the employees of 20 WUAs were questioned about the WUAs’ activities and the quantitative and qualitative data were obtained. This became a base for the calculation of 36 indicators divided into 6 groups: Water supply, technical conditions, economic conditions, social and cultural conditions, organizational conditions and information conditions. All the indicators assessed with a differentiated point system adjusted for subjectivity of several of them give the total maximal result for the associations of 250 point. The WUAs of the Fergana Valley showed the score between 145 and 219 points, what reflects a highly diverse level of the WUAs performance in the region. The analysis of the indicators revealed that the key points of the WUA’s success are the organizational and institutional conditions including the participatory factors and awareness of both the farmers and employees about the work of WUA. The research showed that the low performance of the WUAs is always explained by the low technical and economic conditions along with weak organization and information dissemination conditions. It is clear that it is complicated to improve technical and economic conditions immediately because they are cost-based and cost-induced. However, it is possible to improve the organizational conditions and to strengthen the institutional basis via formal and information institutions which will gradually lead to improvement of economic and technical conditions of WUAs. Farmers should be involved into the WUA Governance and into the process of making common decisions and solving common problems together via proper institutions. Their awareness can also be improved by leading additional trainings for increasing farmers’ agronomic and irrigation knowledge, teaching them water saving technologies and acquainting them with the use of water measuring equipment so it can bring reliable water supply, transparent budgeting and adequate as well as equitable water allocation to the water users.
    Keywords: Water users associations, Performance evaluation, Performance indexes, Water supply, Technology, Economic aspects, Sociocultural environment, Farmer participation, Organizational development, Valleys, Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Fergana Valley, Agribusiness, Farm Management, Financial Economics, Industrial Organization, International Development, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iwmicp:208907&r=all
  13. By: B.(Tony) Ciochetti; M.Emre Camlibel
    Abstract: Buildings are responsible for more than a third of global energy consumption, and emit nearly 40% of all CO2 emissions. A small, but growing body of literature seeks to identify and isolate methods which may be employed in order to reduce the energy consumed in the operation of these structures. In this study, we develop a decision-making algorithm to mitigate the uncertainty of financial and environmental factors related to energy improvements of existing buildings, and how to efficiently allocate available funds in order to undertake such improvements. We develop a case study, in which forty two energy efficiency measures (EEM) are identified within the existing buildings of a University campus in Turkey. The operations of the buildings are analyzed, and energy consumption, energy costs and carbon emissions are measured. Costs and savings of these specific EEMs are calculated as are a number of their possible combinations. Of the more than four trillion possible combinations of energy improvement packages, the ones providing the greatest savings per unit of investment are computed for a range of limited investment budgets. This optimization problem is solved through the uses of both a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP), and a custom developed heuristics model. Our findings suggest that over the optimized investment curve, the most efficient use of EEM capital occurs withing a very tight range of allocation, providing the greatest returns in terms of energy savings, energy costs and carbon emission. Retrofitting of existing buildings with an optimized investment budget appears to be a viable investment strategy, providing yearly savings of 33% in energy use, 22% in energy cost and 23% in carbon emission. Our results show that a decision-maker can comfortably use a less sophisticated heuristics approach, which only minimally deviates from an exact MIP solution. Finally, we compare optimized solutions for retrofitting existing buildings against alternative investments of building new energy production plants and demolishing and re-constructing new buildings. In both cases retrofitting proved to be significantly more efficient in terms of investment cost, energy savings and CO2 reduction.
    Keywords: Carbon Emissions; Energy Efficiency Measures; Mixed Integer Programming; Sustainability
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_237&r=all
  14. By: D. Pekdemir
    Abstract: Many studies on the office market have been conducted for the last thirty years. Especially variables which are expected to affect office rents were examined for different cities. The extent of variables was used in these studies reflecting variations in locational and/or economical conditions of the different cities.It is aimed to examine the development of the Istanbul office market in the last decade from the perspective of brokerage firms. The perception of brokerage firms on the effectiveness of these academically defined variables is important. First, it will provide some evidence on whether or not the reported influences of these variables remain the same in the Istanbul office market. Second, it may define how well practitioners’ criteria fit academically defined variables during the decision-making process for a new office investment.The study derives the currently well established locational, building, econometric and contract variables from previously published studies. Based on the result of a survey study administrated to the leading real estate brokerage firms in Istanbul, it will be revealed how Istanbul office market changed in the last decade compared to the reported results from the previous study (Oven and Pekdemir, 2004). Istanbul office market experienced two major crisis in 2001 and 2008, former Turkish banking crisis and later global financial crisis. The market behaviour will be examined from the perspective of the brokerage firms.
    Keywords: Brokerage Firms; Istanbul; Office Market; Office Rent
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2014–01–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2014_184&r=all
  15. By: M. Karaca; A.Ahu Akgün
    Abstract: Some walls are meant to keep people in, some to keep people out†(Blakey & Snyder, 1997) After 1980s, especially in 2000s the establishment of new settlements in Istanbul, named as gated communities and the increasing numbers is the result of not only globalization but also taking into account housing production and marketing as one of the main development strategy. Another reason is that the developers and producers in the housing sector consider Istanbul as an open market. Due to the demand for luxury housing and prestigious life, which means also demand for both vertical and horizontal gated communities, the increasing number of such settlements is inevitable. Depending on this high demand, gated communities do not only appear as a housing production type but also as a new lifestyle. Some people prefer to fulfil their aim to have a prestigious life in the urban centre, while some prefer to live in the peri-urban zones away from urban centre in contact with nature and the lifestyles offered by gated communities. On this basis, in order to supply this demand, developers prefer more peri-urban areas, in other words rural areas. This type of housing production in rural areas has created socio-spatial transformations in the uniqueness of the rural areas. The research will focus on Göktürk where gated communities in Istanbul first appeared. The socio-spatial transformation of Göktürk will be analysed by first social transformation via population, education level and employment via data obtained from TURKSTAT. In addition, the spatial transformation will be estimated by aerial photos of 1987, 1996, 2005 and 2010 in order to understand the changes in transportation, streets, green areas, gated communities and housing.
    Keywords: Gated Communities; Istanbul; Peri-Urban Areas; Socio-Spatial Transformation
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_251&r=all
  16. By: M. Kaya; F.Gezici Korten
    Abstract: The term real estate has exerted direct impacts on the urban finance and macro-form in changing economies of the world cities. This paper examines the urban dynamics of İzmir as candidate for brand city which explain how the city has developed by major projects. Izmir has been famous as a trade center ever since its past history. In recent years, most of the efforts have been made to make the port city famous in service facilities again. The aim of the paper is to analyze the development process of central districts within the city of Izmir and to examine the role of real estate projects. During the time of ever-increasing uncertainty, a question gets more pertinently than ever: Will the main three districts maintain the reliability of the city economy in equilibrium through new planned service-based functions. Therefore a survey was conducted including interviews with the project developers who operated major investments in Konak, Bayraklı and Karşıyaka districts. The decision-making and implementation process, and challenges to become the central districts are related flexible, adaptable and fast-changing economy. The findings of the research put forward that the interest of the capital and the basic strategies of the plans and investments do not overlap. After strategic regional land use plan and other upper scaled plans have been realized, developers are expecting that the study area will attract significant real estate projects which have mixed use functions with various forms._Originality/value - This is the first paper to examine urban dynamics of the centers in İzmir from the perspective of real estate development for better understanding to relationships between brand city vision, urban macro-form and major projects.
    Keywords: Brand City; Major Projects; Real Estate; Transformation; Urban Centres
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_118&r=all
  17. By: M.Akif Levent; S. Adil; A. Gokbayrak
    Abstract: In Istanbul, existing built up areas are threat against many natural and urban risks. Concurrently, these urban spaces have often economic, social and physical scarcities. There is a necessity for urban transformation projects in these slum areas to meet today’s urban space needs also to provide a livable city. Built & Transfer & Evacuate model was developed to realize these urban transformation projects. Built & Transfer & Evacuate is a model that can be used on empty, state-owned urban development areas. Any essential public areas such as green areas, regional parks, public health facilities, educational facilities etc. can be planned in these urban spaces within the master plans for these areas. Due to the model, the buildings those built on the state-owned areas will be bartered for the existing risky buildings which are in the nearest areas. After demolition of the buildings in these areas new master plan studies will be done on the risk-free ones to provide a sustainable urban transformation. Therefore, planned, livable urban spaces will be created. To define the contribution values of the property owners in urban transformation areas, real estate valuation studies should be done. In general, the value of the existing and new built buildings had defined to state the distribution value of the project. Before the master plan and design studies, land-real estate valuation studies should be completed to have the most suitable functions for the areas and to have the best localization of them within the defined criteria.
    Keywords: Built - Transfer - Evacuate Model; Istanbul; Real Estate Valuation; Urban Transformation
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_262&r=all
  18. By: N. Semiz
    Abstract: Istanbul Seawalls, prolonged along the northern and the southern shores of historic peninsula, have been witnesses to all periods of historic Istanbul since its establishment as a Greek colony at the tip of the peninsula. They were influenced by the historical developments of the city as the other parts of Istanbul City-Walls. During the Middle Ages, the defense system had repairs and renovations. Their maintenance was not carried on regularly in the Ottoman era; yet the walls survived the vicissitudes of time with their firm structures. Starting from the sixteenth century, the martial importance of the city-walls decreased gradually with the result of proliferation of firearms, and from the nineteenth century, they lost their significance militarily. Then settlements developed in the immediate vicinity of the walls, and some parts went into private ownership. Moreover modernization of the city accelerated damages and losses on the walls. Today only parts of Istanbul Seawalls are intact. Within this study, the history and the current state of Istanbul Seawalls have been searched in terms of their ownership status, and their property issues have been analyzed.
    Keywords: History; Istanbul Seawalls; Ownership Change
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_301&r=all
  19. By: M. Topcu
    Abstract: This study aims to examine the effects of public or private sector based urban investment on housing values which are in the environs of these kinds of investments. For this purpose, the study uses totally 13 parameters including 5 parameters related the properties of housing structure, 7 parameters related environmental properties and accessibility parameter. At the last 15 years, two regions are in the forefront where urban investments have important impact in Konya which can be seen as a catalyst for the rapid development of the city. For this reason, these areas were chosen as sample. The first sample area is at the north new-developing side of the city. This area has many new investments like shopping mall, gated housing projects, stadium, fairground etc. And, the second sample is at the east side of the city which has also many transformation areas and investments (law court, private university, hospital, urban park, shopping mall, etc). In this context, for measuring the structural and environmental properties of housing units, a total of 200 questionnaire was applied to the housing units by using random sampling technique. Information regarding economical values of housing units was obtained from real estate companies. These derived data were evaluated by statistically. In conclusion, the results from the evaluations showed that building age, housing unit size, density, safety-security, accessibility, having parking lots and having elevator parameters are significantly effective on housing values.
    Keywords: Housing Values; Konya; Urban Development
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_311&r=all
  20. By: B.Kagan Esen
    Abstract: In the last decade, experiences in urban renewal projects have enabled a systematics, which help overcome physically worn out urban areas. Every urban renewal project shall have a different origin and resolution model just like every city has different natures and requisites. Any given urban renewal project shall have a tailored governance model for its spatial problem solving and desired project intention. Most of the time, such move in historical districts is to put forward the old original profile of the district. Apart from all other factors, these projects aim aesthetical concerns. It is intended to obtain a better appearance and respect for the former urban lifestyle. The historical Izmir Kemeralti Project, endeavored for a while, is a good example for such situation. Pioneered by the local authorities and some civil organizations, this project is remarkable by many aspects. The subject district, which is still very active, has been the merchandising center and downtown location of Izmir since forever. Not only for Izmir, but also for the whole Western Anatolia region, it is a junction of the complete informal retail center. Meanwhile, for this region where very valuable historical buildings exist, it is disfavored by many Izmirians that the region has become home for the unpermitted sellers and unorganized vendors. The intended renewal project aims to elevate the class of the still-strong trade activities in the region as well as to reveal the historical buildings. In this paper, a management and governance model is probed for the Project mentioned above. A quick view shows, the area is privately owned, property values have skyrocketed and the merchandising activity is pretty intense. In that case, the chance of performing eminent domain is out of question, also in the sense that it might undermine the intensity of the day-to-day businesses. And so, a relation between the public authority, entrepreneurs and the landowners shall be well organized to properly renew the area. This research is focused on the governance dimension and the business planning of this Project. The contribution of this research to urban sciences may be twofold. First, it contains advice for renewing historical downtown areas when governance techniques are considered. Second, it provides notion for applying negotiation methods for the tremendously valuable urban renewal areas, whether they are historical or not.
    Keywords: Commercial Property; Historical District; Mathematical Modeling; Property Values; Urban Renewal
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_141&r=all
  21. By: Meskoub, M.
    Abstract: Cash transfers (CT) whether as income support to the elderly, poor households or other vulnerable groups have been hailed as one of the most innovative and effective social policy initiatives in the developing world. Available evidence suggest that their success would depend on their financial sustainability, low inflation and maintenance of a broad social policy support in areas such as food, health, education and housing. It is against this international experience and evidence that this paper sets out to evaluate the Iranian CT programme that was introduced by Ahmadi-Nejad as part of a major liberalization of energy prices in 2010 in order to bring domestic prices of energy and public utilities (water and electricity) in line with international prices. The Iranian CT programme became one of the largest of its kind in the world, with 90 per cent of population covered and costing 12 per cent of the GDP in 2010. This paper discusses the main characteristics of the Iranian programme and evaluates its impacts on household income, inflation, poverty alleviation and related welfare issues in areas such as health and nutrition. Comparison will be made with some of the major CT programmes around the world (e.g. Mexico and Brazil) to explore lessons that can be learned from such international experiences to reform the Iranian programme towards a targeted approach. It is in this context that the paper will ask whether CT programmes are complementary to or a substitute for broader social policy measures in developing countries.
    Keywords: cash transfer, social policy, energy/fuel subsidy, adjustment policy, poverty, inequality, Iran
    Date: 2015–09–11
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ems:euriss:78631&r=all
  22. By: Jamal Ibrahim Haidar
    Abstract: I uncover the existence, extent, and mechanism of exports deflection, which followed exports destruction, after the imposition of exports sanctions against Iranian exporters. Using highly dis-aggregated data about Iranian non-oil exports, I show how exporter size, past export status, and pricing strategy matter in the process of exports deflection. The main findings are as follows: (i) two thirds of the value of Iranian non-oil exports thought to be destroyed by exports sanctions have actually been de?ected to destinations not imposing sanctions; (ii) exporters reduced their product prices as they deflected exports to new destinations; (iii) exporters deflected more of their core and homogeneous products; (iv) larger exporters deflected more of their exports than smaller exporters; (v) the new destinations are more politically-friendly with Iran; and (vi) the probability of an exporter to deflect exports to another destination rised if the exporter already existed in that destination, suggesting that cost of exporting matters too. I conclude that exports sanctions may be less effective in a globalized world as exporters can deflect their exports from one export destination to another.
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:316051&r=all
  23. By: Seyyed Ali Zeytoon Nejad Moosavian
    Abstract: The purpose of this study is to estimate the production function and examine the structure of production in the mining sector of Iran. Several studies have already been conducted in estimating production functions of various economic sectors; however, less attention has been paid to mining sectors. After examining the stationarity of variables using augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Perron tests, this study estimated the production function of the mining sector of Iran under different scenarios using the co-integration method and time-series data for 1976-2006. The unconstrained Cobb-Douglas production function in Tinbergen form provided better results in terms of theoretical foundations of economics, statistics, and econometrics. These results show that the structure of the mining sector of Iran is both capital-intensive and labour-intensive. Based on the findings of this study, the elasticity of production with respect to capital and labour have been 0.44 and 0.41, respectively. In addition, the coefficient of time variable, as an indicator of technological progress in the production process, is statistically significant representing a positive effect of technological changes on the output of Iran's mining sector.
    Date: 2015–09
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:1509.03703&r=all
  24. By: A. Hepsen; O. Aydin; O. Vatandas
    Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is a long-run relationship between macroeconomic indicators and residential returns for two dynamic markets (Istanbul and Dubai). This paper uses the monthly residential return data for the twelve year period from January 2003 to December 2014 provided by REIDIN. In order to identify long term equilibrium between residential returns and macroeconomic indicators, correlation analysis, impulse response analysis and kriging metamodelling are utilized for the study. The findings of this paper would help government and property investors for creating more effective property management strategies in these markets.
    Keywords: Correlation Analysis; Impulse Response Analysis; Kriging Metamodelling; Macroeconomic Indicators; Residential Returns
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2015–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2015_48&r=all

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