Kartal urban regeneration project: challenges, opportunities and prospects for the future

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse the evolution of urban regeneration in the Kartal District in Istanbul and assess prospects, in the context of changing national and metropolitan policies and programmes. Therefore, the paper analyses the recent planning activities in the District, which include: the preparation of a strategic development framework prepared by John Thompson and Partners, working with District Municipality planners; an international urban design competition won by Zaha Had id; and a formal 1:5000 Master Plan prepared by the GIMM. The outcomes of this planning and design activity are not yet clear. However, there is a danger that the proposed metropolitan sub-centre will accommodate offices, hotels and housing for middle and higher income groups, in gated developments isolated from the surrounding poor neighbourhoods which will not benefit from all this investment. The paper concludes by outlining an alternative derived from the application of the principles of sustainable regeneration.