Architectural Regeneration in Istanbul, Turkey

The city of Istanbul, a global megacity under constant pressure of population growth, embodies a wide range of approaches to regeneration and area-based conservation. Beyond its geopolitical location and its established position competing on a global platform, Istanbul is an ancient city imbued with multiple layers of history and heritage assets of global and local significance. The historic monuments of the city have long been a draw for tourists, but buildings of a more recent industrial past and entire historic neighbourhoods have only recently become the focus of architectural and area-wide regeneration practices. Reflecting global economic trends, many of these projects are driven by economic rather than cultural and social goals. While on the one hand historic buildings have been safeguarded through new uses, displacement and gentrification are now an all too common experience in older neighbourhoods. Furthermore, developer-led initiatives, supported by recent legislation, are resulting in entire urban blocks being amalgamated and reconstructed behind historic facades in the name of regeneration.