A research study conducted by Doktor Öğretim Üyesi Serhat Ay, a faculty member at our Faculty, examining the impact of digital platforms on public transportation services has been published in Geoforum, one of the leading international academic journals in the field of social sciences.

Titled “Gentrification of mobility through digital platforms: influencer-led commodification of public rail transport,” the study examines the relationship between digital platforms, influencer content, and public transportation services through the case of the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi).

The study explores how the Eastern Express, which has traditionally served as a means of transportation for many years, has increasingly been transformed into a touristic and commercial experience through travel and influencer content shared on digital platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. This process is examined within the conceptual framework of “the gentrification of mobility.”

The research is significant in demonstrating that the phenomenon of gentrification is not limited to residential areas and urban spaces, but can also involve the economic and social revaluation of transportation services and mobility opportunities. The study contributes to current discussions on public accessibility, the right to mobility, and mobility justice.

We are pleased to see the valuable contributions of our faculty members to high-quality academic research at both national and international levels. We congratulate Assist. Prof. Serhat Ay and wish him continued success in his academic career.

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