Abstract
After the Edict of Gulhane imperial edict of reorganization was declared in 1839, the Ottoman State underwent a period of novelties and changes. The State prioritized urban refurbishments that aimed to rehabilitate the physical outlook of cities starting from the capital Istanbul. In this article, the urban transformation cases in Smyrna and Salonica, two of the most important Ottoman port cities following Istanbul, will be studied in the context of quay and port constructions. These large-scale projects became the triggering factors in the urban development. Smyrna and Salonica had many similarities throughout their history and the 19th century witnessed a similar process of urban transformation among all the eastern Mediterranean port cities. These projects, which dramatically changed the urban silhouette in both cities were realized not only with the contributions of British and French entrepreneurs, who supported such novelties, but also with the Ottoman administrators who were keen on creating new profitable zones. This study is based on the author’s doctoral thesis and the post-doctoral research conducted in the State Archives of Prime Ministry. It is focused on comparing the initiation and implementation phases of quay and port construction in Smyrna and Salonica, aiming to analyse the dynamics of urban transformation through the perspective of the Ottoman administration
Published Version
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