IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

Tersane-i Amire, founded in the 15th century by Fatih Sultan Mehmet on the shores of the Golden Horn, stands as one of the most significant and continuously operating shipyards in the world, embodying centuries of maritime production, technical knowledge, and urban-industrial heritage. As a key component of Istanbul’s historical landscape, the site reflects not only architectural and technological values but also strong social and cultural meanings rooted in collective memory. The recent transformation of this historically active shipyard into Tersane İstanbul represents a critical moment in the relationship between heritage conservation and contemporary urban development. This paper critically examines the conversion of Tersane-i Amire into Tersane İstanbul through the lens of industrial heritage conservation and adaptive reuse. While the redevelopment project is promoted as an opportunity to reintroduce the historic shipyard to public life through cultural, commercial, and touristic functions, it also raises important questions regarding the extent to which authenticity, intangible heritage, and production-based identity have been preserved. The study evaluates the conservation strategies applied to historic buildings, dry docks, and spatial organisation, as well as the narratives constructed to represent the site’s past within the new development. By adopting a critical yet constructive approach, the paper discusses the tensions between preservation and commercialisation, public access and privatisation, and memory and spectacle. Situating Tersane İstanbul within broader international debates on waterfront regeneration, the study aims to assess whether the transformation contributes to sustainable heritage-led development or risks reducing a living industrial heritage site into a symbolic, consumable urban image. Ultimately, the paper seeks to highlight the importance of conservation-led planning approaches that respect both the tangible and intangible values.