MOBILE WORKSHOPS
URBAN WATERFRONTS
1-State Entrepreneurialism and the Galata port Redevelopment project: From industrial Port to Tourist Hub
The redevelopment of waterfronts in global cities has become a focal point for large-scale real estate investments, often driven by neoliberal policies in publicly owned spaces. These projects, characterized by the increasing involvement of state agencies, aim to transform obsolete port areas into lucrative spaces for tourism, commerce, and luxury living. In the Galataport redevelopment example, what was once a small, dying, and worn-down urban space has become a grand area for urban retailing, arts, and luxury accommodation. This two-hour tour will take place around Galataport and its surroundings, where large-scale gentrification has occurred as arts, design, and tourism businesses replaced local shops and underprivileged housing. The tour starts at the Fındıklı campus of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, next to Galataport, after a short introduction about the location and significance of the project. Following a sightseeing tour of the Galataport Project, we will complete the tour by strolling through a few streets showcasing examples of rapid gentrification.
Workshop lead by: Tansel Erbil, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University
2-Deindustrialization of İstanbul and the Transformation of Urban Waterfront: The Golden Horn Arsenals
The Golden Horn Arsenals (Tersane-i Amire / Imperial Dockyards), one of the most significant sites in Ottoman industrial and technological history, were founded in 1455. Remarkably, parts of the complex have maintained their original functions to this day. The Arsenals consist of Haliç, Camialtı, and Taşkızak arsenals, stretching along 2 kilometers of the northern shore of the Golden Horn, from Atatürk Bridge to Hasköy, covering an area of 51 hectares. In addition to the technological infrastructure comprising the modern production works, the area also contains, as a result of centuries of consecutive production, significant remains from the Byzantine and Ottoman classical periods that are of historical document status.
Recognizing its importance, the area was designated an industrial archaeology heritage site in March 1995.
Following the decision for the closure Camialtı and Taşkızak arsenals, the site’s future became a key topic for the Turkish Government. In July 2013, a tender was announced for the Istanbul Haliç Yacht Marina and Complex Project (Haliçport, now Tersane İstanbul). This large-scale privatization project aims to transform the area by introducing two yacht marinas, five-star hotels, shopping malls, and parks, reshaping the historic dockyards along the Golden Horn.
This mobile workshop aims to critically examine the transformation of the Golden Horn Arsenals, where centuries of industrial heritage face the pressures of commercialization and redevelopment. It invites participants to reflect on the tension between preserving cultural identity and the drive for economic revitalization.
Workshop lead by: Gül Köksal; Ekin Sarıca, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University
3-The Transformation of Haydarpaşa from Past to Present: A Intertemporal Tour in Kadikoy Port
Although it was not recognized as a formal part of Istanbul until the beginning of the 20th century, Kadikoy was the final frontier of Anatolia, which was the secondary major part of the Empire. Kadikoy has become a logistical hub, moreover, it eventually rendered a symbol about the boundaries of the city with the construction of Ottoman-Anatolian railways in 1872 and the Bosphorus ferry connection with the central train station. Although it still keeps its symbolic identity, the changing and transforming Kadikoy port can still represent the traces of fishery, logistics, recreation and such different past functions via its layers embedded in its rich heritage.
An Intertemporal Tour in Kadikoy Port aims to create a summary of both cultural and spatial values of different eras, from Haydarpasa to Moda. From the traces of World War I to the history of fishery at the Asian coast, the designated tour is intended to provide a frame of discussion for the participants, not only related to the history of the region, but also converging with the future potentials of the Kadikoy port.
Workshop lead by: Onur Atay, Urban.koop
4-Walking the Line: Sea Level Rise and the Future of Istanbul’s Coast (Karaköy – Fındıklı axis)
Istanbul's coastal areas, particularly dynamic districts like Karaköy, face a significant threat from rising sea levels due to the climate crisis. This walkshop offers a hands-on exploration of these challenges, focusing on the intersection of sea level rise, earthquake risk, and the unique urban fabric of Karaköy.
Our journey will take us from Karaköy to Fındıklı, where we'll visualize the potential impact of future sea levels by marking elevations at current levels, +5 meters, and +10 meters. This practical exercise will highlight the vulnerability of the existing urban fabric and the potential consequences for the diverse functions that characterize Karaköy.
We will analyze how the changing topography influences our understanding of space and the way the city functions. Participants will explore key locations and urban activities, learning about the history of the neighborhood, its important landmarks, and its current uses. We will discuss the potential impact of rising sea levels on these areas, considering the social and spatial implications.
Through this interactive exploration of Istanbul, participants will gain a tangible understanding of the potential socio-spatial impacts of rising sea levels. We'll encourage discussion and reflection on how these changes might reshape our coastlines and the lives of those who depend on them. This workshop is an opportunity to not just learn about the complex challenges but to experience them and imagine the future of our cities.
Workshop lead by: Melih Birik, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University; Bahar Aksel, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University; Ahmetcan Alpan, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University
5-A Historical Neighborhood in a Metropolitan City: Stories of Solidarity and Resistance from Kuzguncuk
Kuzguncuk, a 700-year-old historical Bosphorous neighbourhood in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, is known for its well-preserved cosmopolitan past, once home to Jews, Greeks, Armenians, and Muslims. It still hosts churches, synagogues, and mosques, reflecting its multicultural heritage. Today, Kuzguncuk still has unique historical architecture, and a cosmopolitan and multi-religious population representing the old neighbourhood relations, neighbourhood, and tolerance culture of Istanbul. Kuzguncuk is also one of the first examples of urban gentrification that started in the middle of the 80s with the influence of the artist/intellectual middle class that settled in the neighbourhood. Despite these changes, Kuzguncuk has preserved the practices of living together with its old and new population from different economic and cultural groups and working in collaboration with different stakeholders such as the municipality and local NGO’s. The high social capital and organizing capacity of the neighbourhood enabled Kuzguncuk to reclaim the 700-year-old Vegetable Garden as a Community Garden with great solidarity and resistance which is a huge success story. Today, this solidarity is ongoing to overcome the challenges of the gentrification process which causes an increase in number of cafes and visitors as the neighbourhood becomes an attractive destination. Also, the residents are working in solidarity to overcome the expected results of the possible earthquake in Istanbul.
Workshop lead by: Gülhayat Arzu Erturan Topgül, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University; Kevser İsmet Üstündağ, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University
6-A Picturesque Journey Along the Shores of Bosphorus
The Bosphorus, where Asia Minor meets Europe, has long been the heartbeat of Istanbul — a place where political, social, and cultural currents of the ancient world converged. This iconic strait, shaped by its natural boundaries and waterways, has not only defined the city’s geography but also its cultural identity and urban texture. While echoes of a deep historical past are visible along its shores, the "Bosphorus identity" as we recognize it today emerged prominently during the Ottoman era, evolving into a distinctive waterfront culture from the 18th century onward.
The architecture along the Bosphorus tells a story of transformation. By the late 19th century, Istanbul had the appearance of a "wooden city," with timber reigning as the fastest, cheapest, and most modern building material of the time. This gave rise to a unique residential typology — the yalı, or waterfront mansion — where elegant homes with terraced gardens, groves, and moonlight pavilions stretched from the water’s edge to the hills above.
Beyond its physical beauty, the Bosphorus captured the imagination of the Western world, immortalized through engravings, paintings, and travel narratives. Once depicted through mythical legends, its evolving, more realistic portrayals influenced how the world perceived Istanbul — a city straddling East and West, nature and civilization. This layered identity, still present today, fuels Istanbul’s allure as a global destination.
This excursion will trace the historical and architectural journey of the Bosphorus, with stops along the Beşiktaş-Kuruçeşme route on the European side and Beykoz-Üsküdar on the Anatolian side. Participants will explore iconic mansions, uncover the stories behind these coastal gems, and witness the ongoing transformation of both waterfront and inland urban landscapes.
Workshop lead by: Can Binan (Prof.Dr.Arch), Yildiz Technical University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Akçabozan, (Dr.Arch) Yildiz Technical University
URBAN GROWTH, TRANSFORMATION, AND MEGA PROJECTS
7-Urbanizing Hegemony: Dreams and Reality in Istanbul’s Periphery
Antonio Gramsci explained how hegemony maintains itself not only through force but also through consent. In Turkey, neoliberal hegemony emerged and solidified after the 1980 coup, and reached its peak in 2000s with a “passive revolution.” Over the past 40 years, urbanization has been a key mechanism of this transformation.
Early neoliberal urbanization relied on informal housing and amnesties, but after 2000, gecekondu transformation became central. Yet, despite large-scale housing projects, dispossession, migration, and poverty persisted. The housing ownership rate fell from 73% (2002) to 56% (2024), while wages stagnated. Neoliberal hegemony ties the middle class to the system through long-term housing debt, deepening dependence.
Istanbul’s metropolitan region embodies this shift, particularly the Küçükçekmece Basin. This mobile workshop will explore gecekondu neighborhoods, mass housing projects, and the mega project, 'Canal Istanbul' corridor, testing hegemonic promises against urban realities. We will walk through the phantasmagoria of re-urbanizing hegemony.
Workshop lead by: Emrah Altınok, Istanbul Bilgi University
8-Istanbul Finance Center Project and Its Implications for the Future of Istanbul
The Ataşehir New Financial Center (Istanbul Finance Center) is a large-scale project aimed at positioning Istanbul as a global financial hub. This workshop will critically examine the project’s impacts on the city's economic dynamics, urban development, and social structure from multiple perspectives.
The program will begin with a comprehensive introductory presentation, followed by a field visit to the site, where participants will observe the physical and spatial characteristics of the project firsthand.
Following the site visit, a two-hour workshop will be held to discuss the physical transformation, social segregation, economic impacts, and sustainability aspects of the newly built financial center. The session will explore how the project may reshape Istanbul’s role in the global financial landscape and its potential consequences for spatial justice, economic growth, and ecological balance in the city.
Workshop lead by: Özdemir Sönmez, İstanbul Ticaret University
9-Urban Renewal in the Shadow of the Grand Çamlıca Mosque
Today, Istanbul’s urban landscape is shaped by ongoing cycles of transformation, where large-scale renewal projects intersect with the everyday lives of local communities. This mobile workshop will take participants to the Kirazlıtepe and Mehmet Akif Ersoy neighborhoods, two areas deeply impacted by urban renewal processes. Through on-site observations and discussions, we will examine the social, physical, and psychological dimensions of urban renewal, focusing on the challenges faced by residents who do not consent to the project.
Our journey will begin at the Grand Çamlıca Mosque, a flagship state project on the Anatolian side and the primary catalyst for the renewal of these neighborhoods. From there, we will descend to Kirazlıtepe, where state-led renewal projects have led to intense negotiations, psychological pressures, and shifts in neighborhood dynamics. In Kirazlıtepe, the first phase of construction has been completed, while the subsequent phases are still underway. Here, we will experience the spaces created after urban renewal. In contrast, in the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Neighborhood, where the negotiation phase of a private-led urban renewal project is still ongoing, we will observe a neighborhood its pre-renewal state.
This tour will provide a critical lens on the negotiation phase of urban renewal, exposing the tensions between the promises of modernisation and the realities of "mobbing at the urban renewal". By engaging with local communities’ experiences, we will critically reflect on the broader implications of urban renewal in Istanbul and beyond.
Workshop lead by: Tuğba Tuncer Tiryaki, Yildiz Technical University
10- Hasanpaşa Gasworks: From Industrial Landmark to Urban Innovation Hub
In 1891, a 50-year coal gas production concession covering Kadıköy, Üsküdar, and the Anatolian side was awarded to Parisian engineer Charles George, marking the birth of the Kadıköy Gas Company. Strategically located in Hasanpaşa, near Kurbağalıdere and the railway, the plant began operations in 1892 — an early example of industrial infrastructure shaping urban growth.The gasworks' strategic location and capacity fueled urban expansion on the Anatolian side, serving as a vital industrial artery. A second gasworks in Kağıthane, built in 1961, highlighted the city’s adaptive infrastructure planning. By the time gas production ended in 1993, five gasworks had powered Istanbul’s rapid growth.
The Hasanpaşa Gasworks faced demolition in 1994, but a public preservation movement saved the site, recognizing its value as an industrial and urban artifact. Restored by İBB Heritage and reopened in 2021 as Müze Gazhane, the site now spans 32,000 square meters — transformed into a dynamic cultural and community hub.
Müze Gazhane is more than a heritage site: it’s a case study in adaptive reuse and sustainable urban revitalization. It houses the Climate Museum, Cartoon and Humor Museum, Children’s Science Center, Afife Batur Library, Gallery Gazhane, workspaces, İBB City Theaters' Grand Stage and Open Stage, a marketplace, and social spaces like BELTUR cafés and restaurants — all set within an industrial framework carefully preserved for modern functionality. Müze Gazhane stands as a living example of how industrial infrastructure can evolve into a cultural powerhouse — blending heritage, sustainability, and community-driven urbanism and an example on how to reimagine historical industrial zones as catalysts for urban regeneration.
Workshop lead by: Sevim Arslan, Marmara University, Bahar Şahin, IMM Department of Cultural Assets, Directorate of Cultural Heritage Preservation
11- From Industrial Heritage to a Vibrant Urban Hub: The Transformation of Feshâne-i Amire
Feshane-i Amire, the Ottoman Empire's first large-scale textile factory, produced a wide range of textiles, including fez fabric, cloth for clothing and upholstery, military boots, buttons, prayer rugs, carpets, and kilims. Modernized with machinery imported from Europe in 1843, it became a key facility in the empire’s industrialization. After a fire in 1866, the factory was rebuilt on the same site, continuing to support the local textile industry for many years.
The surrounding Golden Horn area evolved through spatial transformations driven by the Industrial Revolution. Over time, decentralization created large, underutilized spaces. Reintegrating these areas into the city to meet evolving social and urban needs became a focus of planning processes at various scales.
With nearly 200 years of history, Feshane remains a vital part of Istanbul’s industrial heritage. Recently, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB Miras) undertook extensive restoration and adaptive reuse efforts, transforming the site into Artİstanbul Feshane — a vibrant cultural hub. It now features exhibition halls, a library rich with art-focused content, social spaces, and areas for conferences, workshops, and reading, positioning itself as a leading venue for Istanbul’s art scene.
Workshop lead by: Bahar Çelik, IMM Department of Cultural Assets, Directorate of Cultural Heritage Preservation- KG Mimarlık Kurtul Erkmen
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EBPguKRFtoGiJk6x9
12-From the Harbour to the Valley: A section Through Spatial Segregation, Gentrification Processes and the Dual Faces of Art
This walk, imagined as a section from the Karaköy Harbor to the Valley of Dolapdere, aims to discover the urban mutations of the ancient Genovese counter of Galata.
After having played the role of Istanbul’s gate towards Europe, since the 13th Century and onwards, the area lived a period of decline after the founding of the Republic. In the last decades, the central neighbourhoods of Beyoğlu redefined their selves as a lifeful node of tourism, entertainment and culturally driven gentrification processes. The walk will tie a route between the Istanbul Modern Museum and the ARTER Space for Contemporary Art. Both institutions belonging to foundations led by families competing with the international elites, from the business world.
Sinan Logie invites you to discover and discuss both sides of the ridge as well as both sides of the same coin.
Workshop lead by: Sinan Logie, Istanbul Bilgi University
13-Art, Space, and Identity: Traces of Culture-Led Transformation in Yeldeğirmeni
Yeldeğirmeni is one of the districts that has witnessed the transformation of art, space, and identity over the years. This walking tour explores how artistic initiatives have influenced urban change, focusing on the role of local and visiting artists in reshaping the area. The impact of TAK Kadıköy, a key urban design and innovation hub, is also examined, along with the dynamics between long-time residents and newcomers. Participants will have the opportunity to observe Yeldeğirmeni’s striking murals, which reflect the neighborhood’s cultural shifts and creative spirit. Discussions will cover themes such as gentrification, community adaptation, and the intersection of tradition and modernity. Easily accessible from Kadıköy Pier, this tour is designed for groups of 20-25 people and offers a unique perspective on the evolving identity of the district.
Workshop lead by: Büşra Gezer, Yildiz Technical University
14-Exploring Spatial Transformation and the Creative Class: Cihangir, Asmalımescit, and Tomtom Tour
In this workshop, we are going to focus on Beyoğlu, the place is distinguished as the most significant city center of the İstanbul for ages that hosts encounters from variety of cultural background from neighbourhood texture to entertainment life and trading to international relations and protest actions.
We will try to understand the effects of the social and economic transformation of neoliberal space policies, on memory and encounters, which started to imposed the district from the beginning of the 2000s, through the selected routes in the Asmalımescit with its entertainment identity, Tomtom and Cihangir regions with their unique neighborhood identities.
Workshop lead by: Bengi Çakmak Uçar, Üsküdar University
15-Istanbul's Jewellery Quarter: Space, Place and Institutions
Since its establishment in 1461, the Grand Bazaar and its vicinity have been the home for jewellery craftsmanship and trade in Istanbul. Today the area within a 400-meter radius circle around the Bazaar’s Nuruosmaniye Gate constitutes the spatial basis of Istanbul’s jewellery quarter. From an economic geographical perspective, this quarter presents the characteristics of a Marshallian industrial district, a close-knit cluster of flexible buyer-supplier relationships that stem from more than 2000 artisans. From the perspective of urban design, however, the area is characterised by small units, narrow streets, and mediaeval courtyards. This morphological setting provides artisans of different ages, ethnicities and specialisations a unique opportunity for communication and interaction, thereby learning the rules of the game. Local artisans often use the phrase “the Grand Bazaar University” to acknowledge their long and comprehensive apprenticeship times, which included plenty of hands-on training, hard work, and life experience. Through this visit, we will take you on a campus tour of this historic university, where you can meet artisans and explore how the place-specific identity of the Bazaar is merged with the sector-specific identity of the place.
Workshop lead by: Yiğit Evren, Yildiz Technical University
ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC SPACE AND INCLUSIVENESS
16-Atatürk Büyükdere Nursery & Atatürk Urban Forest
As part of this event, we will explore the history, transformation process, and ecological values of Büyükdere Atatürk Nursery and Atatürk Urban Forest. By examining the importance of the area's green spaces, as well as its flora and fauna diversity in the urban ecosystem, we will assess the changes the area has undergone over time through a selected route.
Workshop lead by: Başak İncekara, Istanbul Planning Agency
17-Defending the Public Space
Public spaces have increasingly become critical arenas of struggle and transformation in cities shaped by social divisions, environmental challenges, and political tensions. This mobile workshop explores the role of public spaces in fostering democratic participation and inclusivity, while inviting reflection on issues of accessibility, participation, and collective action. Urban transformation projects — from large-scale redevelopment to neighborhood gentrification — often reshape public spaces, sparking both resistance and calls for greater equity. Projects such as the restructuring of Taksim Square, the Tarlabaşı gentrification project, and the demolition of Emek Cinema exemplify how urban regeneration can fuel public discontent when communities feel excluded from decisions that affect their everyday lives.
These projects highlight a growing tension between top-down development initiatives and grassroots demands for more inclusive, accessible, and community-driven urban spaces. Public spaces, in this context, emerge not only as sites of interaction but also as contested landscapes where marginalized voices challenge dominant narratives and assert their right to the city. The case of Gezi Park, which became a focal point of urban resistance in 2013, serves as one example of this dynamic. What began as a small sit-in against an urban redevelopment plan escalated into a broader movement, underscoring the power of public spaces as platforms for civic engagement and collective action. This workshop will examine how urban transformation projects continue to shape — and be shaped by — the communities that inhabit them, emphasizing the ongoing struggle over who gets to define and occupy public space.
Workshop lead by: Tuğba İnal Çekiç, TU Darmstadt, Caner Doğançayır
18-The Story of a Transformation: IPA Campus
The İPA Campus is situated on a 100,000-square-meter section of the Florya Atatürk Forest. Once fenced off and closed to public use, the area was revitalized under the post-2019 vision of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) to host the Istanbul Planning Agency (İPA) as well as diverse stakeholders, students, academics, and NGOs. Through public projects and events organized by İPA, the campus has become a dynamic hub within Istanbul’s creative ecosystem.
Workshop lead by: İdil Bayar, Istanbul Planning Agency; Melike Şengül, Istanbul Planning Agency
19-Care-full Municipalisms and Urban Commons: Nurseries, Student Dorms, Diners of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
This mobile workshop introduces participants to the recent expansion of municipal services in Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality into the sphere of social reproduction. Amid high inflation and growing affordability crises, access to housing, childcare, and nutritious food has become a pressing challenge, particularly for those structurally disadvantaged in the labor market—women, students, and older adults. Building on a conceptual framework that situates these municipal services within discussions on urban commons and care-full municipalism, the workshop will offer both theoretical and practice-based insights. The convener, Deniz Ay, will provide a theoretical overview of relevant planning scholarship, followed by discussions with municipal officials on policy design and implementation. Participants will also visit a municipal nursery, a student dormitory, and a municipal diner to engage firsthand with the spaces and infrastructures of care that reshape everyday life in Istanbul.
Workshop lead by: Deniz Ay, University of Bern; Selin Töriyen, Istanbul Planning Agency
20-Exploring Urban Rhythms: Public Life in Caddebostan Coastal Park
This mobile workshop focuses on the Caddebostan-Bostancı coastline, a key urban recreational space in Istanbul. Through an interactive exploration, participants will engage with the area’s spatial, social, and ecological dynamics, documenting their experiences and insights. The workshop encourages critical reflection on public space use and transformation, contributing to discussions on coastal livability and inclusivity.
Workshop lead by: Neslişah Kesici Söylemez, Yildiz Technical University; Gökçen Özalp, Gebze Technical University
21-The Villages of Istanbul: Food Supply, Food Security, and Rural Life
This trip will explore Istanbul's rural landscapes, focusing on agricultural production, food security, and organic farming. As part of the city's agricultural periphery, these areas are home to traditional villages, small-scale farms, and sustainable agriculture initiatives. Participants will visit local farms and cooperatives to observe small-scale food production, which continues despite urban pressures. The trip will also provide insights into rural daily practices, from farming and livestock care to local food processing and traditional methods of sustaining agricultural livelihoods.
Workshop lead by: Nur Kardelen Öztürk, Gebze Technical University
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL ROUTES
22-CARING FOR A CULTURAL LANDSCAPE ON THE FRINGE: MERGING INTO THE PALIMPSEST OF THE LAND WALLS
The Istanbul Land Walls have defined the fringe of the Historical Peninsula since the 5th century AD, that is, since their construction during the reign of Theodosius II. The Land Walls and the area surrounding them determine one of the four heritage sites included under the 'Historical Areas of Istanbul' UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Over the centuries, a rich cultural landscape has been formed around the Land Walls, shaped by the functions on the periphery of the city, consisting of historical cemeteries, historical gardens and architectural structures from the Byzantine, Ottoman and Turkish Republic periods. Architectural heritage such as Studios and Chora Monasteries, Blachernae Palace area, Tekfur Palace and Yedikule Fortress were planned under the influence of the presence, architecture and location of the Land Walls.
Byzantine records reveal that the land around the walls was once privately owned and primarily used for agriculture. Over time, monasteries and cemeteries emerged alongside farmland. From the 17th century onward, residential and commercial development began, particularly in the northern sections. The late 19th-century construction of the railway marked a turning point, redefining access and usage. In the 1950s, the construction of Vatan and Millet Avenues expanded the city westward, cutting through sections of the walls and transforming the area into a "fringe belt" — a zone where historic structures coexist with modern urban growth.
The Land Walls have withstood earthquakes, wars, and neglect. After the devastating "Little Apocalypse" earthquake of 1509, Ottoman sultans initiated extensive repairs. In the 20th century, restoration efforts continued, but the past three decades brought renewed deterioration. A strategic restoration plan now prioritizes the most at-risk sections, preserving the "aesthetic of ruins." Over the past five years, 1.5 kilometers of the walls have been restored.
This workshop will explore the Land Walls’ transformation during the 19th and 20th centuries, highlighting their evolving role as a fringe belt and their lasting impact in the formation of this unique cultural landscape, which is included in the World Heritage List
Workshop lead by: Prof. Figen Kıvılcım Çorakbaş, Bursa Uludağ University, Ayşen Kaya, IMM Department of Cultural Assets, Directorate of Cultural Heritage Preservation
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QgVjz9eXQcHMDDzN9
23-The Challenge of Urban Renewal in Süleymaniye: Historical and Morphological Transformations of Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage Site
Süleymaniye Mosque and its surrounding neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, reflect Istanbul’s universal value. The area’s history dates back to the Roman period when Emperor Valens (364-378) constructed the Bozdoğan Aqueduct, a nymphaion, baths, and cisterns. These structures served as gathering spaces and were later replaced by Ottoman mosques and külliyes, with additional buildings such as baths, palaces, and educational institutions following similar site-selection patterns. This continuity is evident in the Süleymaniye area’s layered urban fabric.
Following the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453, monumental structures began emerging in the region. In the 16th century, population growth in Istanbul led to prestigious residential developments around Süleymaniye, changing the area’s urban character. Over time, fires and early 20th-century urban expansion further altered the district. The migration of the local population and the transformation into a lower-income residential zone significantly impacted the area’s socio-spatial structure.
In 2007, the area was designated as a "renewal zone," marking the beginning of a process of devaluation and transformation into a deteriorating district. This workshop will focus on the historical significance of the Süleymaniye area and the morphological changes it has undergone. The documentation efforts led by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) since 2021, as well as the socio-spatial transformation processes, will be discussed, along with future scenarios for the area.
Workshop lead by: Bedel Esma Emre and Esra Kudde, IMM Department of Cultural Assets, Directorate of Cultural Heritage Preservation
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TteCfjLUudrgSCCbA
24-Conservation and Cultural Heritage in Zeyrek: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Located on one of Istanbul’s seven hills, Zeyrek has been an important settlement since the early Byzantine period, known for its monasteries and religious structures. During the Ottoman era, it evolved into a neighborhood preserving the city’s traditional wooden housing fabric. However, over time, fires, neglect, and migration led to significant deterioration.
Zeyrek was placed under protection in 1979 and included in Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage Site listing in 1985. Today, the area around Zeyrek Mosque contains 254 registered cultural assets — 42 monumental structures and 125 examples of civil architecture, though 67 have been lost. Preserving this cultural heritage and ensuring sustainable restoration is crucial to understanding Istanbul’s multi-layered history.
Zeyrek now faces pressure from the needs of the modern city. Unlike Süleymaniye, which shares a similar historical character, Zeyrek underwent different urban planning interventions during the Republican era, leading to notable changes in its physical and social fabric. The area serves as an important example for understanding the impacts of large-scale planning decisions on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reflecting how such interventions shape historical environments and their relationship with the evolving city.
Workshop lead by: Yiğit Ozar, Yeliz Can
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AzpuyG3VUGKHUKpb7
25-Revisiting an Urban Rehabilitation Programme in the Historic Fener and Balat Neighborhoods
Fener and Balat are two inner-city neighbourhoods along the shores of Haliç (the Golden Horn) within the historic core of İstanbul. They consist mainly of residential buildings, typically three to four stories high, and shops that date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, alongside religious buildings of diverse faiths. The Rehabilitation of Fener and Balat Programme, funded by the European Commission and implemented in partnership with the Fatih Municipality, was the first large-scale urban rehabilitation project in İstanbul and remains unique to this day. The initial concept for the project originated from the Habitat Conference held in İstanbul in 1996. The goal was to “…demonstrate that the future of the historic core of İstanbul is not trapped between the options of a touristic restoration or a simplistic and misleading renovation…” Between 2003 and 2008, a total of 121 buildings were conserved and rehabilitated to varying degrees. Additionally, social centres for the youth and women were established and operated, and a waste management system was implemented. After 17 years, looking back at these neighbourhoods, we see a striking example of how the city’s transformation dynamics have altered both the physical and social landscape taking it to a whole different place than the initial intentions of the rehabilitation project.
Workshop lead by: Burçin Altınsay, MEF University, Conservation Architect, Fener and Balat Districts Rehabilitation Programme, Coordinator of Conservation Works/Local Co-director
26-Reimagining the Gateway from the Land Walls to Suriçi: The Transformation of Topkapı Kaleiçi Square
Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula (Suriçi) has been shaped by the layered urban forms inherited from the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, with traces from the Republican era reflecting this evolution in today’s urban fabric. The road network established by Henri Prost’s 1936 master plan — along with the new developments that followed — led to the loss of some of the area’s socio-spatial characteristics. As Suriçi began expanding beyond the city walls and Istanbul grew westward, Topkapı Square and its surroundings became one of the last areas to undergo transformation.
Situated in front of the historic Topkapı Gate, the square lies within the UNESCO World Heritage Land Walls Conservation Area, surrounded by significant monuments. In 2022, Fatih Municipality launched an urban design competition for the Topkapı Kaleiçi Square. The winning project is now under implementation.
The design team describes their approach as follows: "With its oversized dimensions, detached from Suriçi’s organic texture, and the loss of the city gate’s role as a focal point, the square became an incoherent, uninviting void for pedestrians. The key is to reconnect with the city’s spatial memory and the square’s original organizing logic — a process that begins with reading and reinterpreting the ‘palimpsest’ of the area’s etched traces.”
This workshop will explore the project decisions aimed at restoring the square and its surrounding public spaces to the city’s collective memory. Participants will observe the implementation process and examine the historic monuments framing the square, gaining insight into how contemporary urban design can engage with layered urban histories.
Workshop lead by: Melih Yılmaz, Fatih Municipality
27-The Seventh Hill: Pashas and Saints
The long story of Istanbul is hidden in its streets and their trajectories. Buildings may be the face of the city, but they are not always as enduring as the roads. However, the memory of the roads stretches back centuries, even millennia. On this tour, we will trace the southern branch of the ancient thoroughfare Mese on the seventh hill of the city.
First, we will enter the city through Altınkapı side, just as a Byzantine emperor returning from victory. Within the city walls, we will take a closer look at the fascinating relationship between the topography and demographics of Ottoman Istanbul along two different parallel routes. Here, a striking difference in altitude separates mosques from churches, pashas from saints.
Although the Roman-Byzantine city of Constantinople took on a urban-rural atmosphere throughout the long centuries, it was originally established as a geometrically planned ancient city. The Ottomans, in turn, built an Islamic city (Konstantiniyye) upon this legacy. Morover, the innovations of the 19th century—such as the train and tram—produced unexpected transformations in the city’s spatial development. Today, the seventh hill bears traces of all this long and layered past.
Workshop lead by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Oktay Özman (writer, MD), Ebru Kurt-Özman, (urban geographer, PhD) University of Amsterdam
