State-Led Waterfront Redevelopment: A Critical Examination of Istanbul’s Galataport Project by Assoc. Prof. Aslı Öğüt Erbil

As global cities increasingly focus on waterfront redevelopment as a tool for economic revitalization, the Galataport project serves as a pivotal case study of state-led transformation. Historically, waterfronts were often industrial zones, but in recent decades, they have been transformed into centers of tourism, commerce, and luxury living. This shift has been driven by neoliberal policies and large-scale real estate investments, with governments playing a key role in facilitating these changes.

 

Assoc. Prof. Erbil’s research delves deep into the historical, socio-political, and economic dimensions of Galataport’s redevelopment. Through an extensive review of primary sources, such as governmental reports, policy documents, and academic literature, she reveals the complex dynamics behind the project. Her analysis underscores the significant role of the state in orchestrating the transformation of Istanbul's urban landscape and explores the speculative entrepreneurial approach taken by the central government. The article argues that while legal obstacles were cleared to favor the project’s success, the public interest was largely neglected in the process.

 

This case study represents an important step in re-evaluating contemporary urban development and governance models in Turkey, with implications for other global cities undergoing similar transformations. Assoc. Prof. Erbil’s article calls for a more critical understanding of the contemporary waterfront development paradigms, urging future planners and policymakers to consider the balance between economic ambitions and the preservation of public interests.