Urban climate justice and migrant communities: factors of climate vulnerabilities of the Syrian population in Istanbul

Climate change intensifies existing inequalities and injustices in societies, making disadvantaged communities more vulnerable due to their proximate social and environmental living conditions. Migrants are among the most vulnerable populations to climate change, as they often face a range of compounding challenges, including past trauma, poverty, discrimination, and limited access to critical resources. This paper aims to analyze the vulnerabilities and adaptive capacity of Syrian migrants in Istanbul, which hosts the largest migrant population in Türkiye. To achieve this, a macro-scale map was created by analyzing the relationship between environmental changes in Istanbul and the neighbourhoods where Syrian migrants are spatially concentrated. An equal-weighted scoring approach was then applied to assess vulnerability characteristics. Field surveys conducted in the 12 most at-risk neighbourhoods revealed that many Syrian migrants experience a lack of social status, risk unawareness, neglect, limited basic rights, distrust, and livelihood difficulties. These disempowering factors force them to live in areas highly susceptible to climate hazards, while their ability to cope remains severely limited. Given Türkiye’s complex migration dynamics in recent decades – including major refugee influxes and ongoing internal migration – it is essential to examine climate justice in relation to migrant groups at both spatial and community levels. Tackling the unequal distribution of impacts of climate change in a practical, adaptable, and effective way would contribute significantly to the literature and inform more equitable urban planning strategies.