Spatial Justice and Beyoglu

Beyoglu is a small district of the city of Istanbul. With its multi-layered history, heterogeneous and dynamic demographic structure, vibrant socio-cultural life, and features that shape public space, Beyoglu was always at the forefront of Istanbul studies and popular urban/spatial discussions.

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In this issue, we wanted to include discussions on memory spaces in Beyoğlu, spatial features that “make Beyoglu”, historical and current transformations it has gone through, and urban and social struggles and studies. This place, where the economic crises and political pressures experienced by the country can be physically watched, is constantly changing without the user having the right to speak. Beyoğlu has been transformed parcel by parcel with projects brought from top hand, but it still has a point that will appeal to people from different segments.

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By focusing on the memory of diversity instead of the usual homogeneous perspective, we wanted to include the non-Muslim origins of the place, subcultures, and Beyoglu experiences of different classes. While examining the existence, transformation, publicity, and accessibility of the spaces that create the memory of the city, it was also one of the issues that we discussed

a lot, whom the gentrification added as a new layer in time, and whom it displaced.

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The issue is divided into three parts and deals with Beyoglu’s past, present, and future. The issue is shaped under the titles of Memory of Beyoglu, Transformation of Beyoglu, and Urban Struggles. These chapters contain the memories and information, past analysis, and future imaginations of people who think, write, and work in Beyoglu.

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In this process, Beyoglu has gone through the economic and social changes that Istanbul and many other cities have experienced, and how it will recover from this crisis will be a subject to be followed with curiosity.