VIRTUAL Barcelona

Abstract

Cities, as complex and multifaceted entities, undergo continuous transformations shaped by a myriad of influences. These influences become particularly evident within the urban fabric of historical centers, which undergo changes in response to shifts in cultural, ethnic, social, political, and economic structures in both local and global contexts. Notable factors such as fires, earthquakes, wars, urban development, preservation policies, and the impact of tourism can all be identified as significant contributors that (re)shape the fabric of these centers. This presentation aims to serve as an example into the study of these complex effects while focusing on the physical transformation of a residential quarter at the historical core of Istanbul—Süleymaniye. While a historical perspective is indispensable for comprehending the trajectory of change in the area, it also serves as a significant anchor for the discussion of the future of the quarter. The region is currently undergoing rapid disintegration and dissolution, a process that has escalated over the past decade by the intersecting forces of urban planning interventions by authorities and the socio-cultural and economic realities of the new inhabitants, who increasingly consist of refugees and immigrants. To dissect and comprehend this transformative process, materials such as maps, engravings, and photographs from on-site visits will be employed. The primary objective, therefore, is to delineate various impacts of both planned and unplanned transformations in the urban fabric. This will be achieved through a critical examination and comparison of different sources, highlighting the sometimes-conflicting imposition and/or explorations of architectural interventions in the area.