Istanbul version 2.0: the struggle between modernisation and historical heritage the case of Sulukule

Abstract

Istanbul has become a construction site by the beginning of 1990s following a dramatic change in policies on housing and urbanization policies. While the new middle class was invading city centre, urban poor was evicted by force from their habitats due to a rapid increase in land prices. Therefore, by the time the heart of Istanbul, the historical peninsula, where many ethnic groups have been living, has lost its diversity and become more homogeneous. As an outcome of six years of experience, this paper discusses the results of on-going urban policies and their impacts on historical neighbourhoods in the last 15 years. It takes Sulukule as a case study to illustrate. Sulukule has been a place for the urban poor including the Roma minority since the beginning of 11th century. Today, behind the Byzantium City Walls in a gated community, there is a settlement of the new middle class who want to be in the city centre in order to access the benefits of it, despite it being a sterile place. As a result of long-term intimidation policies, the inhabitants of Sulukule have faced deprivation. Hence, instead of questioning socio-economic problems, Sulukule Renewal Project not only increased urban segregation but also broke the social networks. This paper argues that cultural diversity and historical patterns can act as the ability to cope with gentrification. They are also accepted as the sources of sustainable urban renewal. The paper uses the evaluation of Sulukule Renewal Project through social segregation and forced eviction to do this. Urban development and the changes in socio-economic structure and physical space of six years of the renewal project are examined.