Regulation of Urban Space in the Ottoman State: The Case of Istanbul (1820-1900)

Abstract

Starting with the declaration of Tanzimat Firman in 1839, a systematic transformation in different fields, such as administration, law, taxation, property rights, education, urban planning and public works was initiated, which triggered the regulation of urban space as a tool for achieving a modern state. This paper focuses on the formation of urban regulations in the 19th century and questions their reflection in the urban space based on the case of Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman State. The period between 1820-1900 is chosen, during which nine regulations were enacted concerning the buildings and the streets. During this period, the building regulations were tried to be systematized and following the establishment of the necessary urban administrative bodies, they were able to be applied in some districts in Istanbul. Although the building regulations were enacted with the purpose to transform the whole city, they could only be implemented in certain areas, the most prestigious neighborhoods such as Galata and Pera, due to financial and administrative restrictions.

Keywords

• istanbul history
• modernization
• ottoman history
• urban history
• construction systems
• urban regulation