Beyazıt and Taksim Squares have long served as symbolic and functional centers of public life in Istanbul, particularly during the politically turbulent 1970s, when both became prominent sites of protest and riot. As such, they emerged as key arenas for political expression and collective action. This paper explores the historical formation and transformation of these squares, focusing on how state power has continuously shaped—and at times constrained—their role as public spaces. In the early Republican era, both squares were subject to architectural and spatial interventions aimed at projecting the ideals of the new nation-state. The erection of the Republic Monument in Taksim and the redesign of Beyazıt Square, including the addition of modernist features such as a central pool, illustrate how public space was mobilized to embody national identity and modernization. In recent decades, however, state authorities have increasingly restricted public gatherings through both legal prohibitions and urban redesigns that subtly limit protest without overt policing. Consequently, political demonstrations have been pushed to the peripheries of the city. By tracing the evolution of Beyazıt and Taksim Squares, this paper investigates the shifting dynamics between urban form, political authority, and public agency in Istanbul from the early Republic to the present day. Through this lens, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how Istanbul's public spaces have functioned as arenas of ideological expression and socio-political contestation from the early Republic to the present day.

Authors:
Birge Yildirim Okta, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Birge Yıldırım Okta is an architect, researcher, and founder of OKTAA. She teaches at LJMU and has held roles at Kadir Has and ITU. Her work spans design, urban history, and landscape, with awards, exhibitions, and publications internationally.

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