A Research Project on the Traditional Urban Texture of Gedikpasa

Abstract

This study consists of research about the historical development of the Gedikpasa neighborhood in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey, an analysis of the social and physical changes in this neighborhood over the centuries, documentation of existing historical buildings, and a recommendation about preserving and restoring the cultural heritage of Gedikpasa. Gedikpasa was established in Roman times. Various ethnic groups have lived and co-existed in the district over the centuries and have contributed to the diverse socio-cultural characteristics of the neighborhood. Monuments were built during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet and the traditional building architecture of Gedikpasa, consisting of a grid street plan formation, was formed in the 19th century. Local residents of Gedikpasa started to leave the neighborhood in the 1960s, which led to a social change, followed by an architectural change. Gedikpasa was transformed from a mainly residential area into a commercial area, and as a result, the traditional characteristics have largely disappeared. Today, Gedikpasa is mainly ruins. The local government has plans in place to convert the neighborhood into a touristic and commercial area. As part of this study, both the historical and the current state of Gedikpasa were documented, and socio-cultural and architectural features were analyzed. A recommendation for the preservation and restoration of the social and physical heritage of the district was developed as a result of this analysis.