The Relationship between the Grand Bazaar and Istanbul and Suggestions for the Current Situation

Abstract

Trade has been important throughout the history in Istanbul, a city that has been capital to various civilizations. Trade has been effective for the city to be a capital, its relationship with other cities, and shaping of the urban texture. As an Ottoman Period structure, The Grand Bazaar has reached its current shape in a period of 250 years. Under the influence of urban relations, it has been a central location physically, economically, and socially. The Grand Bazaar has maintained its existence in relation to trading axes such as The Golden Horn, Divanyolu, Uzunçarşı, and Mahmutpaşa. It has also housed missions such as a research and development centre within the guild system, in connection to the Ottoman Court. It has been an important place where the urban population assembled and a frequent destination for visitors. It has adapted to the current changes in which the production system has changed and the historical texture transitioned into a tourism-oriented one.
This article highlights the position of The Grand Bazaar in the urban relations network through history and proposes suggestions to strengthen this today. The study focuses on suggestions such as maintaining the priority of the protection, providing the continuity of traditional production techniques, creating alternative touring routes in the Historic Peninsula, creating permanent and temporary exhibition points, practicing different activities for people with different interests trying alternative activities. The suggestions aim to strengthen the features of expression of the trade texture which The Grand Bazaar is a part of, and creating varieties in case of use.