Sulukule
Encyclopedia
Sulukule is a historic settlement in the Fatih
district of Istanbul
, Turkey
. It is within the area of Istanbul’s historic peninsula, adjacent to the western part of the city wall
s. The area has historically been occupied by Romani communities. Roma presence in this part of Istanbul dates back to Byzantine
times, while it is in the 15th century, upon Ottoman
conquest, that the quarter became (reportedly) the first district in the world permanently settled by sedentary Roma.
Sulukule was notable for its entertainment houses, where the Romani performed music and dance to the visitors from in and outside Istanbul. The closure of these entertainment houses in 1992 precipitated serious socio-economic decline in the area.
and Greater Istanbul
municipalities. The proposals go beyond the specific area of Sulukule affecting the whole historic peninsula of Istanbul due to urban transformation process and gentrification
driven by private sector and governmental agencies, which is currently threatening Sulukule's centuries-old cultural heritage. This redevelopment is to take place in what is part of the UNESCO
World Heritage Site
. The problematic project is harshly criticized by civil society
institutions.
Fatih
Fatih is a municipality and district in Istanbul, Turkey that encompasses most of the peninsula coinciding with historic Constantinople. In 2009, the district of Eminönü, formerly a separate municipality located at the tip of the peninsula, was merged into Fatih...
district of Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. It is within the area of Istanbul’s historic peninsula, adjacent to the western part of the city wall
Walls of Constantinople
The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople since its founding as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great...
s. The area has historically been occupied by Romani communities. Roma presence in this part of Istanbul dates back to Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
times, while it is in the 15th century, upon Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
conquest, that the quarter became (reportedly) the first district in the world permanently settled by sedentary Roma.
Sulukule was notable for its entertainment houses, where the Romani performed music and dance to the visitors from in and outside Istanbul. The closure of these entertainment houses in 1992 precipitated serious socio-economic decline in the area.
Urban transformation project
Today, the quartier of Sulukule is under threat of demolitions due to the ‘urgent’ urban transformation proposals developed by the FatihFatih
Fatih is a municipality and district in Istanbul, Turkey that encompasses most of the peninsula coinciding with historic Constantinople. In 2009, the district of Eminönü, formerly a separate municipality located at the tip of the peninsula, was merged into Fatih...
and Greater Istanbul
Greater Istanbul
Greater Istanbul refers to the immediate city and centre of the Istanbul, Turkey and hence operates as a municipality and administrative area. It has a population of over 24 million people. It may be used in contrast to Outer Istanbul....
municipalities. The proposals go beyond the specific area of Sulukule affecting the whole historic peninsula of Istanbul due to urban transformation process and gentrification
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
driven by private sector and governmental agencies, which is currently threatening Sulukule's centuries-old cultural heritage. This redevelopment is to take place in what is part of the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
. The problematic project is harshly criticized by civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
institutions.