Paper short abstract:

This article determines how the spatial distribution of refugee across the Turkish provinces has evolved over the period 2005-2015 with an inevitably special focus on Syrians under temporary protection.

Paper long abstract:

This article determines how the spatial distribution of refugee across the Turkish provinces has evolved over the period 2005-2015 with an inevitably special focus on Syrians under temporary protection. It first explores on how Turkish cities were responding to their changing populations and to identify national and local administration's role in creating a welcoming community that attracts and retains refugees. The varying role of cities as first points of arrival, transit hubs and ultimate destinations will be then evaluated. After analysing urban scales, refugee distribution and internal dynamics in Turkey will be questioned at regional and local scales in order to understand how refugee agency deal with handicaps of their ambiguous legal status and mobility restrictions.