IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

This study examines the transformation of Kuzguncuk at the intersection of gentrification and urban memory. Historically recognized for its multi-layered social structure and strong neighborhood culture, Kuzguncuk has recently become a focal point for new residents, visitors, and investment forms, driven by growing cultural and economic interest. The transformation is not approached merely as a physical change; it also focuses on how memory and everyday practices are reshaped alongside spatial restructuring. Emerging cultural practices, circulating representational images, and shifts in the socio-economic fabric collectively reconstruct the notion of “authentic heritage.” Conservation and restoration efforts contribute to preserving Kuzguncuk’s architectural character, while simultaneously introducing new consumption and representational practices that may commodify local culture and simplify its historically complex identity. This raises the question: which memories are preserved, and which are rendered invisible? Drawing on urban theory and observational data, the study argues that Kuzguncuk exemplifies how heritage is not only protected but selectively re-narrated. This dynamic highlights the tension between continuity and change and demonstrates that gentrification operates not only through spatial transformation but also through the reorganization of collective memory.