Haliç Dockyards: Is Limited Gentrification and De-industrialization Possible?

Abstract

This study focuses on the closure process of the dockyards located in the Golden Horn basin of Istanbul. The decision to end the production function of the Hali & ccedil; Dockyards and restructure them with culture and arts industry functions continues to be the subject of current urban politics. While urban movements advocate for the dockyards to continue production, national and city governments have taken decisions to close the dockyards by emphasizing world examples. In 2000, the dockyards were closed and one thousand and one hundred people were got fired. The high level of layoffs had a dramatic impact not only on the dockyards but also on life around the dockyards. However, the closure decision did not attract public support and 13 years later, a solidarity platform was initiated with rising opposition reactions. In 2013, the Hali & ccedil; Solidarity organized this process through the demands of former dockyards employees, trade unions, professional chambers and urbanites living in the dockyards area and put forward an alternative stance to de-industrialization. Exactly 6 years later, these demands have partially yielded results and a policy of resuming production in some of the dockyards has been sustained. The continuation of production option resulted in a conflict between the local and the central government and completed in gain of legal struggle following the conflict.