The 17th seminar of the “Istanbul Urban Studies” seminar series organized by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of Istanbul Medeniyet University moderated by Res.Asst. Ayça ÇELİKBİLEK was held online on 22nd September 2021. At the seminar, Gizem KONAK İRKİT (Msc.) presented her study titled “Beyazıt Meydanı’nın Kentsel Arkeoloji Kapsamında Değerlendirilmesİ” (Evaluation of Beyazıt Square in Terms of Urban Archeology).
KONAK İRKİT started her presentation by explaining the concept of ‘urban archaeology’. By remarking the importance of the concept for urban planning and conservation plans, KONAK İRKİT stated that urban archeology is a way of monitoring the layers forming through spatial changes caused by urbanization. The researcher said that the reason why she chose the Historical Peninsula and Beyazıt Square, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in cultural heritage category in 1985, for her study is its adaptation ability to physical, social, and cultural changes throughout history. KONAK İRKİT stated that urban archeology studies consist of three stages including research, documenting – presenting and evaluation emphasized but the stage of evaluation is more important since it functions as a bridge connecting the past and the future of a city and its cultural heritage. The researcher mentioned how challenging can be protecting those areas and what the problems are and she added that urban planning should be integrated to the process from the outset. Based on her analysis of the changes in Beyazıt Square throughout its history, the researcher claimed that the root of those changes stem from social, cultural, and political factors and their traces. She further stressed that the acceptance of Beyazıt Square as a part of urban archeology would be a start for inventory and mapping studies. KONAK İRKİT pointed out that participation and inclusion of planning authorities and citizens should be provided along with the evaluation of socio-political and economic transformation of Beyazıt Square for better urban archeology implementations.
The presentation was ended with a discussion about chance find procedures and the existence of any areas in Istanbul reserved to be excavated later.
