ABSTRACT
Istanbul is a world city, having been the capital of Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires. Historically, it was the economic centre of the region, thanks to its strategic position at the intersection of various trade routes between Asia and Europe. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923, Istanbul lost its title of capital city to Ankara. Nevertheless, with its strategic location, history, rapidly growing population and high production capacity in the industrial and manufacturing sectors and trade, it is still the largest and the most important economic, cultural and tourism centre in Turkey. This chapter first explores this global city with its economic and demographic characteristics. After depicting the physical and socio-spatial restructuring of the city through regeneration schemes, transportation and infrastructural investments and mega projects over the last four decades, it presents a critical viewpoint to how far Istanbul has been developed in a sustainable way. Then it focuses on the impacts of the globalisation and neoliberalisation on the heritage geographies. Investigating the recent urban planning strategies and programmes and the conservation and heritage-led regeneration policies, this chapter studies how far the themes of sustainability and sustainable community development have been integrated into the regeneration of historic neighbourhoods.
