The Urbanist Istanbul special
Oct 10, 2024
Hannah Lucinda Smith, Monocle's correspondent in Istanbul, offers a captivating look at the city's vibrant culture and urban evolution. Koza Gureli Yazgan shares insights on restoring the historic Çinili Hammam, highlighting its architectural beauty. Renay Onur discusses the transformation of the Golden Horn, turning a polluted site into a lively waterfront, ideal for community activities and water sports. Together, they explore how Istanbul balances its rich heritage with modern ambitions, including aspirations for the 2036 Olympics.
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How Hannah Chose Istanbul
- Hannah moved to Turkey after reporting on the Arab Spring and living in Antakya near the Syrian border for eight months.
- She fell in love with Istanbul and made it her home for over a decade while learning the language and embedding in the city.
Scale And The Bosphorus
- Istanbul's scale is overwhelming and hard to grasp until you visit, with official population figures contested.
- The Bosphorus gives the city its sense of space amid dense, crowded urban fabric.
Living On The Asian Side
- Hannah lives on the Asian side, unusually for a foreign journalist, and often works from home so she rarely crosses to the European side.
- She enjoys passenger ferries for their civilized, atmospheric crossings between continents with tea, snacks and buskers.