Karaköy'ün bir eşik mekanı olarak yeniden incelenmesi

This thesis provides a documentation of the transformation of neighborhood Karakoy in Istanbul through the concept of threshold. Since thresholds imply physical, social and historical transitions and the in-between states during this transition, this liminal concept is utilized as a tool to study the regenerating urban condition of Karakoy. Referring to the changing contemporary approaches to urbanity and architecture, speculations on the current and possible future of this neighborhood are made through the study. Thresholds, refering to a physical in-between material or space in architecture, is open to adaptation in multi diciplines. The first part of the study documents the possible approaches , metaphors and utilization of the word and concept of threshold in different diciplines, architecture being the dominating one. In each approach by different scholars, thresholds provide a terrain of liminality, ambiguity and a greyness. Being part of each party but not belonging to any specific party, thresholds provide spatial, social and historical mapping of the transformation in Karakoy. Witnessing different empires, architectural styles, social groups, Karakoy is a place of transition. This neighborhood is constantly in a state of in-betweenness. Listing the main historical periods of the urban area starting from the early centuries, the change of governing, society, architecture, culture, usage and physical state , is revealed in order to emphasize the role of transformation in KarakOy. Following the historical background, the regeneration and the current state of the area is documented in order to reveal the "neither-nor" status of Karakoy. Taking a section of the urban life of the neighborhood which is going to be in a another state in the future, the study documents the spatial, social and historical thresholds through the urban actors, everyday life, urban furniture, everyday objects, architectural styles or materials, the grafitti and the signage with the inspiration of the work of Walter Benjamin about the passages of Paris. Not only the modern face of the neighborhood is anaylsed but all parties of the neighborhood including the old-dwellers, new-comers and the visitors, the architectural heritage, existing social and economical structure, identities and the encounters between these differences are documented as thresholds. The possible reaction and hybrid identities that are produced are searched during the study. The decaying face of Karakoy is revived and become an inspiration of the study. Differentiating from the precedent studied about Karaköy, this thesis documents the dialectic between old and new, traditional and modern, Western and Eastern, work and leisure, public and private, even men and women. It is implied that this dialectic and the relationships between differences are what make Karaköy a unique place of gentrification. These differences existing together create a dynamic and rich ground for urban, architectural and social productions. The binary positions and the in-between among these dualities are the implications of the thresholds in Karakoy. Beginning the study from urbanity, leading to architecture and ending in the scale of everyday life objects, the thesis becomes a threshold with its dialectic approach. In the light of these approaches, the spatial, social and historical thresholds of Karakoy is documented in the case studies of khans and passages in the selected study area. These architectural products, being the common building type of the neighborhood and an important part of the economic life of Ottoman Empire provide grounds to document the transformation of the neighborhood. Again, with the inspiration of "Arcades Project" by Walter Benjamin, the history of these khans and passages are revived in today. Documenting the past and present of the buildings, the possible future of these hans and passages are speculated through spatial, social and historical thresholds. Historical maps, journal from archieves, the architecture, architectural style, constructions materials, inhabitants, signage, daily life, everyday objects, doors, windows, furniture, usage, construction site become tools of documentation. Revealing the many layers of thresholds in these selected khans and passages, the urban life of Karakoy is speculated as well as their state of transformation in order to create a mapping of regeneration in Karakoy.