**6. Conclusion: Chain of CBDs revisited**

Summarising the different functions of the *chain of CBDs in Istanbul* – as shown in Fig. 1 – one can detect globalised and at least transnational aspects in each of them, as pointed out in the following.

Traditional core, world heritage site

Starting with the *traditional core,* it should be mentioned that this has been designated a UNESCO *world heritage site since 1985*. Istanbul's *brand awareness* is strongly related to the shape of the historic city which turned into a global touristic attraction. Characterised by Photos 1, 2.

Banking and Finance CBD

212 Urban Development



Within that *Taksim to Maslak axis* the most recent CBD developments have taken place. Important to notice is the *spatial disaggregation* of the different types of new services. The financial CBD is spatially isolated from the city's shopping areas. The huge buildings signalize another proximity: that one to the *global financial market*. The financial sector created the office clusters at Levent (L) and Maslak (M) (Photo 7) and consumer services are

Photo 6. At the crossroads: central motorway (left to right) crosses the main axis of the CBD chain, dominant building: Tat tower, Levent left, behind. Gayrettepe 2010, "G" in

Levent (L),

construction.

Fig. 1.

concentrated at the "*triangle*" in Şişli (S).

At the other end of the *backbone of the metropolis,* clusters of *skyscrapers* at *Levent and Maslak* are the metaphors for the city's powerful financial sector, post-modern and globalised at the same time. Their silhouettes contrast with those of the Ottoman minarets and the city's logo attempts to combine that. Vertical gated communities (apartment towers) and exclusive hypermarkets (e.g. Konus, leave Metro at Levent) are mixed with the office towers in that CBD area. Documented by Photos 6-7.

Photo 7. Maslak from south, Büyükdere Cad. Office towers right, vertical gated city left. Northern end of the chain of CBDs, "M" in Fig. 1.

people.

network.

**7. References** 

Conference, paper, p13.

Istanbul's Backbone - A Chain of Central Business Districts (CBDs) 215

Coming down from the Pera plateau through Galata to the Golden Horn and to the Galata bridge, with the view to the mosques and their minarets, and surrounded by different noises and senses of smell one is entering another world. A permanent motion of people, vessels and cars creates an imagination: the *Golden Horn area*, this is the city's core for the common

At this busy waterfront with its socially and economically different functions (Photo 8) ends the presentation of Istanbul's chain of CBDs. At the waterfront on feels as though at a crossroads. Between Europe and Asia, ancient sites and modern quarters, between social levels, and between past and future. Away from the shoreline and on the way to the Asian bridgehead one can watch the skyline and the *chain of CBD* landmarks. Maybe that's Istanbul's secret: to be close to ancient times and simultaneously part of a global

Ayata H. (2010): Influence of International Planning Ideas on Istanbul's Urban Fabric. IPHS-

Bilgin I. et al. (2010): Istanbul 1910–2010. City, Built Environment and Architectural Culture

Bütüner B. (2006): Waterfront Revitalisation as a Challenging Urban Issue in Istanbul. 42nd

Cengiz H. (2005): The Urban Redevelopment Process of Post-Industry City: Istanbul (http://aesop2005.scix.net/data/papers/att/190.fullTextPrint.pdf). Dökmeci V. & Berköz, L. (1994): Transformation of Istanbul from a monocentric to a

Ersoy A. (2009): Polycentric Urban Development and Istanbul Regional Studies Association

Geniş Ş. (2007): Producing Elite Localities: The Rise of Gated Communities in Istanbul.

Gezici F. & Kerimoglŭ, E. (2010): Culture, tourism and regeneration process in Istanbul. Int.

Güvenc M. (2010): Istanbul 1910-2010. Une approche historique et socio-spatial. Urbanisme

Güvenc M. & E. Ünlü-Yücesoy (2009): Urban spaces in and around Istanbul. Urban Age

Heller W. & Gerdes, D. (1991): Stadtumbau in Istanbul. Zeitschrift f. Wirtschaftsgeographie

Keyder Ç. (2009): Istanbul between the global and the local Rouman & Littlefield,

Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research 4, 252-265.

Aksoy A. (2009): Istanbul's choice: openness. Urban Age Istanbul, 48-51.

polycentric city. European Planning Studies 2, 193-205.

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce 2010: Macro Economic Report 2009.

Keyder Ç. (2009): Istanbul in a global context. Urban Age Istanbul, p45.

Ergun N. (2004): Gentrification in Istanbul. Cities 21, 391-405.

Annual Conference, paper, p9.

Urban Studies 44, 771-798.

374, 47-51.

Istanbul, 52.

35, 24-36.

Lanham.

Exhibition. Catalogue, Istanbul Bilgi University.

ISoCaRP Congress in Istanbul, paper (www.isocarp.org/pub/events/congress/2006).

## Prime Shopping CBD

The ultimate hub for shopping and entertainment – now called the *golden triangle* - is a district in Şişli (S in Fig. 1). Clothing outlets, international brands as well haute couture can be found in the narrow lanes of Nişantaşi and Teşvikiye (Photo 4), the location of the city's *new creative class* (leave Metro at Osmanbey). It is remarkable that shopkeepers, formerly located near the touristic overcrowded Bazaar area are now moving to Nişantaşi with its upper class and international customers. Both the financial quarter and the "golden triangle" enlarge the imagination of Istanbul: they are *new post-modern locations*, spatially remote from the waterfront city at the Bosphor and the Golden Horn.

Fin de Siècle - CBD rediscovered

Proceeding southward, the space between the "golden triangle" and the traditional core is not at all an empty place. The fashionable CBD of 1900 south of the Taksim square (T), downgraded up to the 1970s, is now revitalised and a *city of pedestrian avenues* (Photo 3). The surrounding flourishes now as an entertainment quarter with different types of restaurants.

Galata bridge and the Golden Horn – the focal point of different intersections

Photo 8. At the Galata bridge 2010. Golden Horn, Focus of Istanbul's "multiple intersections". Suleimaniye mosque in the background.

Coming down from the Pera plateau through Galata to the Golden Horn and to the Galata bridge, with the view to the mosques and their minarets, and surrounded by different noises and senses of smell one is entering another world. A permanent motion of people, vessels and cars creates an imagination: the *Golden Horn area*, this is the city's core for the common people.

At this busy waterfront with its socially and economically different functions (Photo 8) ends the presentation of Istanbul's chain of CBDs. At the waterfront on feels as though at a crossroads. Between Europe and Asia, ancient sites and modern quarters, between social levels, and between past and future. Away from the shoreline and on the way to the Asian bridgehead one can watch the skyline and the *chain of CBD* landmarks. Maybe that's Istanbul's secret: to be close to ancient times and simultaneously part of a global network.
