Publications
Changing Approaches of the 1972 Convention’s Stake- holders. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Türkiye
Istanbul's historic areas, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1985, have experienced significant shifts in stakeholder dynamics and governance since their designation. The study reveals that the 1972 Convention has catalyzed a 'supranational' multi-stakeholder approach, elevating local debates to an international platform and imposing new pressures on urban planning and conservation efforts. This paper assesses how the Convention's framework influences national decision-making processes, particularly in the context of Istanbul's urban historic centers. By analyzing state of conservation reports and stakeholder perspectives, it highlights both the impacts and limitations of international regulations in shaping heritage management practices.
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.
Evaluation of the Conservation Process in Historic Areas of Istanbul in the Context of Rights
The conservation process in Istanbul's historic areas, while aiming to preserve cultural heritage, significantly fails to integrate human rights principles. This research reveals that the current system lacks a rights-based framework, leading to inefficiencies and shortcomings in heritage protection. Through qualitative methods—including in-depth interviews with seven key stakeholder groups (local people, government entities, conservation organizations, professionals, academicians, and investors)—the study identifies 30 indicators where the existing process deviates from rights-based criteria across physical, economic, social, cultural, political, and legal dimensions. The findings underscore that stakeholder preferences and restricted heritage rights are primary barriers to effective conservation, ultimately undermining the success of heritage preservation efforts.
Politics of Loss in a World Heritage Site: The Case of the Historic Vegetable Gardens of the Land Walls of Istanbul
Historic vegetable gardens (bostanlar) within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Istanbul's Land Walls face imminent destruction due to urban renewal pressures, highlighting a critical tension between architectural conservation and cultural landscape preservation. These gardens, integral to local agricultural heritage, are being systematically erased despite efforts by heritage experts to challenge commercial and political imperatives driving urban regeneration. The study reveals that institutional frameworks prioritize monument-focused conservation over culturally sensitive approaches, creating an unsustainable conflict. The fate of these gardens hinges on reconciling these opposing perspectives through negotiation and accommodation.
The Role of Heritage Impact Assessment in Safeguarding World Heritage Sites: Application Study on Historic Areas of Istanbul and Giza Pyramids
Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) emerges as a critical tool for safeguarding World Heritage Sites, balancing preservation with development while mitigating adverse effects. A qualitative study involving interviews with site managers, archaeologists, and governmental bodies in Turkey and Egypt revealed that both the Historic Areas of Istanbul and the Giza Pyramids face significant threats from infrastructure and development projects. The research highlights a pressing need for local expertise in HIA to reduce reliance on foreign experts, as current practices often lack comprehensive mitigation strategies. By applying HIA methodology, stakeholders can make informed decisions that protect heritage integrity while supporting sustainable development.
Parking Management Policies Based on Behavior Analysis at Fatih District in Istanbul, Turkey
Parking behaviors and policy preferences significantly vary across sub-areas within Fatih District, Istanbul. A study analyzing interview survey data revealed distinct parking patterns, influencing the selection of effective management strategies. Statistical analysis and a discrete choice model identified key factors affecting policy choices, providing actionable insights for urban planners to tailor parking solutions in historic cities with limited space.
Riding the storm: ‘new Istanbul’
Istanbul faces a critical urban dilemma where real-estate-driven growth, aimed at global economic expansion and improved living standards, threatens its historic identity, social inclusivity, and ecological balance. This study highlights how the city's transformation into a fragmented megacity—marked by gated communities, residential complexes, and tourist zones—erodes its public character, turning historic districts into mono-functional 'dead spaces.' The research argues that for Istanbul to retain its inclusive, diverse nature, civic actors must develop a new critical politics capable of steering real-estate growth toward the common good. This involves balancing popular support for economic development with the preservation of Istanbul's cultural and social openness, akin to navigating a storm caused by the 'new Istanbul.'
The Impact of Neoliberal Policies on Historic Urban Space: Areas of Urban Renewal in Istanbul
Neoliberal urban renewal policies in Istanbul have significantly altered historic urban spaces, prioritizing private capital accumulation over the preservation of cultural heritage and local livelihoods. The 2005 Law on Renewal, which designates areas for redevelopment, has been implemented through four case studies—Sulukule, Tarlabasi, Suleymaniye, and Fener-Balat—revealing how municipalities leverage this framework to dismantle historic housing as 'common public assets.' This shift undermines both local economies and the cultural capital of communities, challenging traditional notions of urban space ownership. The study critically analyzes these processes, highlighting the tension between state-authorized redevelopment and the preservation of Istanbul's historic identity.
Urban Regeneration and Hegemonic Power Relationships
A powerful urban coalition, dominated by central and local government actors, state institutions, and private-sector entities, has emerged in Turkey since the 2000s, driving neo-liberal urban transformation policies aimed at maximizing land rents and real-estate development. This coalition's influence, bolstered by legal changes and institutional initiatives like those of the Mass Housing Development Administration (TOKİ), has reshaped Istanbul's socio-spatial structure, prioritizing areas with high rent-gaining potential while exerting pressure on squatter housing and historic urban centers inhabited by the urban poor. The study reveals how this hegemonic discourse, supported by developers, landowners, and media, has steered Istanbul toward a vision of international finance, service, and tourism, illustrating broader trends in economic and political spheres.
Searching for a Balance Between Community Needs and Conservation Policies in Historic Neighbourhoods of Istanbul
Recent regeneration efforts in Istanbul's historic neighbourhoods, such as Fetter and Balat (F&B), struggle to balance community needs with conservation policies. This study reveals that while sustainability and community-focused approaches are gaining traction among policymakers, their integration into urban conservation strategies remains limited. By analyzing the regeneration story of F&B, the research identifies key strengths and weaknesses in current conservation-led initiatives, offering critical insights for future sustainable urban development in historic areas. The findings suggest that achieving equilibrium between community aspirations and built environment preservation is essential for equitable and sustainable solutions.
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