VIRTUAL London.
Abstract
The city of Istanbul, a timeless blend of rich history and diverse cultural influences, has hosted various communities and civilizations throughout its existence. Positioned as a bridge across eras, from hunter-gatherer societies to the present, Istanbul encapsulates dynamic life both above and below ground. Recognizing the need to preserve this historical tapestry, Istanbul’s planning requires conservation-focused strategies. Four distinct regions, including the Historic Peninsula, Sarayburnu and its Surroundings, Suleymaniye, and Zeyrek, have been acknowledged on the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, the implementation of conservation measures is imperative due to national and international obligations. The Suleymaniye region, designated as a renewal area in 2006, has undergone a transformation from individual to cumulative ownership, resulting in substantial losses within the heritage site. To counter this, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) initiated a 2020 conservation study, led by the Cultural Heritage Department (IMM Heritage), focusing on reclaiming Suleymaniye. This comprehensive 9-hectare study delves into the city’s layers, proposing conservation strategies for both above-ground and underground assets. Uniquely, it integrates historical sources through oral history readings, identifying continuity, uniqueness, and values for contemporary planning. The project also outlines potential underground cultural asset areas, emphasizing priority research and conservation actions. In conclusion, the study envisions a ‘living Suleymaniye,’ adapting to modern living conditions. The multidisciplinary team’s holistic conservation method spans from city to building scale, ensuring a comprehensive approach to preserving Istanbul’s cultural heritage.
Esma Emre graduated as an urban planner from ITU. Following her graduation, she worked on eco-city, urban transformation plans at ITU, completing a master’s degree with a focus on planning approaches for multi-layered cities. Emre, involved in ongoing archeological excavation by preparing GIS databases; began her doctoral studies at the Institute of Eurasian-Earth-Sciences. Her doctoral research focuses on the paleo-environment. Emre has been working as a technical assistant at the IMM, Department of Cultural-Heritage, and one of the projects under her coordination is the Süleymaniye.
Aysegul Ozer completed her architectural education and earned a master’s degree in restoration from ITU. Her doctoral studies in preservation, supported by the Greek State Scholarship Foundation from 2004 to 2008, were conducted at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her research focuses on comparing the preservation of the Exchange Architectural Heritage in Turkey and Greece.
Architect Esra Kudde completed her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in restoration&conservation at ITU. She focused on architectural documentation and conservation proposals of Byzantine and Ottoman monuments in her theses. During her ongoing duty at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, she has worked on various projects.
E.İlay Kadakal graduated her undergraduate education in urban and regional planning at Istanbul Technical Üniversity and her master’s degree in urban conservation and planning at Yıldız Technical University. She has been working on the issues of protecting cultural assets for 7 years as an urban planner at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
Nazlı Ezgi Ceylan completed her undergraduate education in urban and regional planning and her master’s degree in urban design at Istanbul Technical University.
Pınar Ozan Karaeş graduated from architectural restoration department. After graduated, She took part in restoration practises such as Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace museum. She has been working as a restorator at Istanbul Metropolitian Municipality Cultural Heritage Preservation Directorate.
Yeliz Can, an urban planner & GIS specialist, graduated from Istanbul Technical University. She cultivated a diverse academic background by pursuing master’s programs in Urban Planning, Geomatical Engineering, and Geographic Information Technologies to gain a comprehensive perspective.
Emel Sarıoğlu completed her undergraduate education in the history and art history departments of Istanbul University. After her undergraduate education, she completed her master’s degree in modern history.
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Thursday 27th June, 2024