Local responses to urban redevelopment projects: The case of Beyoğlu, Istanbul

Urban redevelopment projects became the primary mechanisms of neoliberal urban policies in Istanbul. By analyzing the urban redevelopment projects of Beyoğlu and the responsive practices of local actors, this paper highlights the role of community organizations in resisting and challenging the state's urban planning policies. A collaboration among local citizens, civil society institutions, and community organizations of the case study area formed the Beyoğlu Neighborhood Associations Platform and searched for opportunities to reproduce neoliberal priorities and policies.