Architecture and the Turkish City: An Urban History of Istanbul Since the Ottomans

Architecture and urban planning have always been used by political regimes to stamp their ideologies upon cities, and this is especially the case in the modern Turkish Republic. By exploring Istanbul’s modern architectural and urban history, Murat Gül highlights the dynamics of political and social change in Turkey from the late-Ottoman period until today. Looking beyond pure architectural styles or the physical manifestations of Istanbul’s cultural landscape, he offers critical insight into how Turkish attempts to modernise have affected both the city and its population.