The Reality of Istanbul’s Restoration
Photo by Abdullah Öğük on Unsplash
Istanbul is an ancient city with a rich history that has great significance for Muslims, Christians and Jews alike. When President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rose to power as the prime minister of Turkey, in 2003, his focus on the development of Istanbul’s infrastructure was viewed positively by the public, but the dark underbelly of Erdogan’s strategic changes began to reveal itself.
Residents of Istanbul’s Gokturk community spent much of 2022 protesting the planned development of their quiet, residential neighborhood. As I strolled the meticulously groomed streets, passing light pink accented Magnolia trees and lush fig trees, it was difficult to imagine that this time next year, rapidly built high rises would tower over the homes of the surrounding neighborhood. The golf course that snaked through the center of the community was to be the site of the new development—just another example of the government sanctioned destruction of Istanbul’s historic and residential neighborhoods.
According to a 2019 article in The Atlantic, along with new development throughout Istanbul, there has been an effort to restore the historic buildings that make up the fabric of the city. Following news of the planned restoration of The Valens Aqueduct, a Roman structure dating back to the 4th century, there was mass concern regarding the planning of the project. This concern was not unfounded being that “historic buildings and structures dating from the Byzantine era to the 20th century have been subjected to disastrous restorations in recent years…” (Osterlund). This can be attributed to a highly flawed execution of Erdogan’s Neo-Ottoman aspirations. The president’s desire for a flourishing Turkey has proved difficult to achieve—most recently seen in the devastating impact of the February, 2023 earthquake in southeast Turkey.
Marwa Maziad and Jake Sotiriadis of The Middle East Institute, in a 2020 article, identify the political and economic motivations of the current Turkish government. They state that “this blending of Turkish nationalism with an Islamic consciousness highlights the agency of ideological seduction that accompanies Neo-Ottomanism.” Moderate Islamic ideology has been subtly woven into the policy making and decisions of Erdogan’s government. The Turkish State regulates the messages preached by Turkish imams, as well as finances the construction, globally, of new mosques. Erdogan’s political model also questions the sovereignty of Turkey’s surrounding countries. Erdogan’s rhetoric has suggested that he believes Turkey has a right to the territories listed in the National Pact of 1920. This would extend Turkey’s borders to parts of Greece, “northern Syria, northern Iraq, the entirety of modern Armenia, parts of Georgia, and even to Iran.”
As I spoke with a few of the residents of Gokturk, their words were filled with despair. They explained that there was little that they could do to preserve their community. “We’re considering moving out of the country,” one woman expressed to me. “All of this building is destroying the city.” All of the people in this neighborhood have a deep love for Turkey, but each day, Turkey’s future looks more bleak. None of them want to leave, but as Erdogan’s actions become more radical, they feel as if they have no choice.