Construction hit to Istanbul’s skyline
The skyline of Eminönü, one of the most important regions of Istanbul’s historic peninsula, continues to deteriorate due to intense construction. Construction of the Istanbul University of Commerce began on the site of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) building, which was demolished in 2021 after the building became unsafe. The building, which is under construction, has generated controversy for considering that it distorts the historical silhouette of the region.
While observing the destruction at the site, archaeologist Ömer Faruk Yavaşçay, who conducted research in the region, drew attention to the presence of the Eminönü Yeni Mosque, Rüstem Paşa Mosque, Değirmen Han, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia Mosque and He stressed that these are the most important. Turkey monuments.
Omer Faruk Yavascay
CLOSURE OF WORKS
Recalling that there was a building belonging to the ITO in the region, which was built in 1971, Yavaşçay said, “We were very happy when this building was demolished in previous years. Because it marred the historical silhouette, it had a negative effect on Eminönü. We hear that construction has started again. When the construction was lifted, the real image emerged. Now we can clearly see the final state of the construction,” he said. “After this construction is completed, the front of those works will be blocked again,” said Yavaşçay, “It is closed even now. In addition, in this area a concrete structure is built again. This is a very bad image for the region. It is also bad for tourism. Because instead of using it as vegetation, building a concrete structure makes it worse in terms of tourism. There are already too many concrete structures in the region, new concrete structures are being built instead of being demolished. What needs to be done here is to seal the building,” he said.
‘I am also responsible for the betrayal of Istanbul’
AKP President and Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the International Summit of Cities and Non-Governmental Organizations which he attended in 2017, said: “The most important beauty of old cities is that they blend the new into their bodies without losing their main characters, and knead again adding their essence. Istanbul is a truly exceptional city in this regard. But we don’t appreciate this city, we betrayed it, we still do, and I am responsible for it. Though our homes get bigger, our hearts get smaller. As our buildings rise, our horizons darken.”