VIRTUAL London Heritages Conference

Abstract

Istanbul Municipality has been instituting restoration and revitalization projects for the derelict heritage of Istanbul, as museums, libraries, youth, and cultural centers within the framework of the cultural policy of the Republican People’s Party in Turkey since 2019. The Row Shops of the Süleymaniye Mosque complex were restored as The Istanbul Design Museum in 2024 within this context. Situated within the historic Süleymaniye neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this project entails challenges in integrating contemporary practices within a context defined by its historical and traditional fabric. This study focuses on the sociocultural dimension of the reuse project of the Süleymaniye Row Shops and explores strategies for fostering a participatory and inclusive approach to heritage management that respects the neighborhood’s living traditions. Key issues explored include the commodification of cultural narratives, the potential alienation of local residents, and the risk of disconnection of the museum’s activities from the area’s historical identity. The tension between the museum’s role as a modern cultural hub and its impact on the living heritage of the Süleymaniye community is investigated. The findings drawing on field research contribute to broader discussions on the role of cultural institutions in urban heritage preservation and community cohesion in historic districts and aim to propose sustainable solutions for community integration. It argues for the necessity of a participatory and inclusive approach to museum programming that bridges the gap between modernity and tradition, ensuring that the museum supports rather than supplants the social heritage of Süleymaniye.