Re-representation of Modern Istanbul

Rerepresenting Modern Istanbul examines the process by which Istanbul, despite losing its capital city status after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, remained an important urban center in the new era of the Turkish Republic. Istanbul, which underwent a major transformation from a medium-sized city to a megacity from the 1950s onwards, is treated as a microcosm of this transformation through the Beyoğlu district, home to European embassies and cultural institutions. This book focuses on the urban history of Beyoğlu through case studies using previously unresearched archival materials, shedding light on Istanbul's processes of continuity, intercultural interaction, and representation.

Analyzing how the urban identity of modern Istanbul was re-represented, the book offers both a historical perspective and discusses the city's verbal and spatial narratives within the context of the 20th century. Istanbul's cosmopolitan structure, cultural interactions, and social transformations are thoroughly examined, especially through the example of Beyoğlu. This work is an important reference for readers interested in urban history, city culture, and urban transformation.

Who is this for?

• Students interested in urban history and urban transformation
• Researchers studying the dynamics of 20th-century Istanbul
• Professionals in the fields of architecture, social sciences, and history
• Curious readers about the cultural representations of modern Istanbul