Public land grabbing in the age of neoliberalism: Legal and political mechanisms of capital accumulation in Turkey’s Green Road Project
Abstract
This study examines land grabbing in Turkey through the Green Road Project, situating it within broader theoretical discussions. Introducing the concept of "public land grabbing," it argues that Turkey’s reliance on public lands and the nature of public ownership shape the legal, institutional, and political mechanisms of land acquisitions via megaprojects. Using legal analysis, field studies, media coverage, and archival research, the study highlights three key arguments: (1) Legal amendments facilitate the commercial repurposing of public lands under the guise of "public interest"; (2) Public-private partnerships enable access to capital on public lands, fostering a crony form of capital accumulation; and (3) "Public interest" rhetoric delegitimizes opposition and fragments resistance.
Keywords
Green Road, Public Land, Megaprojects, Land Grabbing, Public-Private Partnership
Supporting Institution
The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Ethical Statement
The author declared that the study has no unethical issues and that research and publication ethics have been observed carefully.
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