Counter-Mapping through Digital Tools as an Approach to Urban History: Investigating the Spatial Condition of Activism

Urban heritage is not static but dynamically shaped by socio-political contexts, offering potential for sustainable development when its evolving meanings are understood. This study reveals that protests in Istanbul's historic areas during the 1960s redefined urban heritage—previously manipulated by an autocratic government—to assert social rights, demonstrating how counter-mapping through digital humanities tools can uncover these processes. By analyzing spatial patterns of activism linked to mid-century urban operations, the research highlights the need for deeper societal context in heritage studies to harness its full potential for democratic and sustainable cities.

Dinler, M. (2021). Counter-Mapping through Digital Tools as an Approach to Urban History: Investigating the Spatial Condition of Activism. Sustainability, 13(16), 8904. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168904