Istanbul quarters authenticity: local communities and space design

Abstract

The research subject is the urban space of the modern metropolis historical districts. This space is presented as a contingent, topological formation that forms collective identities and models of social behavior. The authors explore the mechanism of visualization of social practices in the historical areas of Istanbul (Yedikule, Sultan Selim Yavuz, Balat and Dervish Ali). The authors argue that space design reflects the process of converting non-traditional socio-cultural practices in the general city social environment. The use of an interdisciplinary approach to the study revealed the markers of cultural and social practices of the historical districts' population of Istanbul, to conduct a comparative analysis of the urban culture of traditional inhabitants and migrants. The combination of historical, sociological and cultural approaches helped to analyze the formation of cultural norms and values. The article presents the author's view on the history of the formation of ideas about the districts authenticity of Istanbul. Describes the regional specificity of visual practices and the formation of citizen social behavior. The influence of regional migrants on the physical and social space design is demonstrated. Visual practices are both a form of adaptation of migrants and the conversion of practices in the city environment. We have identified visual markers of historical eras and cultural influences on the formation of Istanbul modern urban space. Visual identification of objects that reflect social practices and the corresponding visual changes in the urban space of different periods has been carried out.