Abstract:

Abstract The demand for second houses used for a brief period as summer or weekend houses has increased with the Covid-19 pandemic in Turkey. While some people, who welcome summer in their homes, preferred to stay during the season, some extended their accommodation for the entire pandemic period. This article investigates the spatial and social changes experienced in second houses during Covid-19 pandemic. As a preparatory study, literature review and subject-related search were conducted in-depth on media sources. Then, real estate agents, who are expert on this issue, were interviewed to examine the effect of the rising demand for these kinds of properties in the real estate market. Moreover, a survey with open and closed[1]ended questions was conducted to selected people who stay in their secondary houses. In addition to the demographic characteristics of the participants, the reasons to choose second houses, the problems encountered in this process, everyday practices in their lives, and their relations with the neighbours were tried to be determined. As stated by three-quarters of respondents, the secondary houses have a larger net area compared to their primary ones. Their healthier environment offering a chance to spend time at natural surroundings or outdoor facilities such as private gardens and terraces, and their convenience to work from home or remote education are the main motivations behind preferences for residence. According to the analysed sample of the study, two-third of the participants have primary residences in Istanbul. Thus, the movement from city centres or metropolitan areas to rural areas, countryside or summer houses predominantly occurred in İstanbul. The participants also mentioned that their second houses were located in Istanbul, either in Silivri, Büyükçekmece or Adalar, which are peripheral and cottage districts of the city. Staying in a second house is directly associated with the pandemic-related lockdowns and curfews, summer or weekend breaks. Nearly two-third of the respondents stated that they established relations with the neighbours in there. As a positive effect of the pandemic, these relations might be turned into a cooperative, even a solidarist process for large-scale necessities or other possible issues in everyday life. When neighbourhood-related answers are analyzed, it can be argued that the social practices are sustainable and continuous in the environment of the secondary house as well. Additionally, one-third of second house residents implied that the time they spent for leisure activities such as trekking, swimming and so on increased, which may indicate they experience daily life more actively in this period. Consequently, the potential of second houses regarding their convenience for longer or permanent stay has been recognized during the pandemic period. The significant change in the perception of these houses, which are generally projected for short[1]term stay and remain empty most of the year before the pandemic, stimulates a debate about the position of the second houses on the current housing stock. The management of current second house stock should be taken into account upon their potential by especially considering the extended usage during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, it can be expected that these houses may be used for additional touristic purposes with some enhancement aimed at yearlong use, and new responsive design and construction approaches aiming for an extended stay, which is not limited with a season or even a possible global crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic, will gain importance. Some previous studies show the ways by which more efficient and yearlong use of second houses can be applied by residents without limiting the period of stay. Nevertheless, suggestions in studies could not be widely implemented for the management or development of summerhouses to be used throughout the year. Contrarily, second houses may be a worthwhile alternative for residents to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the pandemic, and to spend some time outdoor during their daily lives. Furthermore, these houses provide some opportunities for activities such as gardening and plant care, working and resting, trekking and so on. From this aspect, the question of what new, yearlong opportunities and potentials second houses can offer to residents in the post-pandemic life is noteworthy. With the addition of future studies on more efficient management of second houses, an integrated interpretation of economic, political, cultural, and local aspects will be more far-reaching for developing a holistic solution to this issue.

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