Osmanlı modernleşmesinin bir şehir çalışması: İstanbul Altıncı Daire-i Belediyesi (1858-1877)

This thesis attempts to analyse the first European style municipal administration of theOttoman Empire as a manifestation of its modernisation attempts and the influence ofEuropean powers in the 19th century. The Sixth Municipal District was established in 1858 ina wealthy area comprising Beyoğlu and Galata as a response to growing demand on the sideof the inhabitants of the area, most of whom were non-Muslims and foreigners. Coincidingwith the Ottoman reform movements of the era, the establishment of the Sixth District hadmarked a major turning point in the transformation of the Ottoman urban administration.Hence, this thesis tries to indicate that the reforms were directly influential in the reshaping ofIstanbul and therefore the Sixth District?s history is parallel to that of Tanzimat. It also tries todemonstrate the intensity of change by describing the municipal practices of the classicalperiod and putting the District in historical perspective The motivation in the selection of thisarea is also important hence; this thesis also tries to evaluate its reasons within the context offoreign influence in the Empire. Also, it tries to assess the District?s accomplishments andfailures, and makes an effort to understand whether it had reached its goals.Key Words: Ottoman Empire, Tanzimat, Islamic city, Istanbul, Municipality, SixthMunicipal District.