The class chatted this afternoon about late Ottoman attempts to modernize and Westernize Istanbul by planning it out and setting up some proper boulevards. The plans didn't go very far - the French planner hired for the task drew up some completely unfeasible renovation plans without ever actually coming to Istanbul, they weren't implemented, and that was that.
Over the course of our discussion it became clear that the unanimous feeling of the group was that Istanbul couldn't be Westernized architecturally. Moreover, despite the group's widespread frustration with the meandering streets and disorganization, there was a general agreement that even if Istanbul could be properly Westernized, it shouldn't be.
This is an interesting thought if we consider that a Westernizing city plan is part of a more general push for Westernizing Turkish culture. Our widespread feeling that Istanbul can't be Westernized architecturally probably says something about the potential for success of the Kemalist attempts to Westernize Turkey. On the other hand, our widespread feeling that Istanbul shouldn't be Westernized architecturally might say something significant as well.
Over the course of our discussion it became clear that the unanimous feeling of the group was that Istanbul couldn't be Westernized architecturally. Moreover, despite the group's widespread frustration with the meandering streets and disorganization, there was a general agreement that even if Istanbul could be properly Westernized, it shouldn't be.
This is an interesting thought if we consider that a Westernizing city plan is part of a more general push for Westernizing Turkish culture. Our widespread feeling that Istanbul can't be Westernized architecturally probably says something about the potential for success of the Kemalist attempts to Westernize Turkey. On the other hand, our widespread feeling that Istanbul shouldn't be Westernized architecturally might say something significant as well.
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