Https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/1028049

Abstract

Magazine publishing activities in Turkey started during the Tanzimat reform era. Magazines of that period were mostly publishing organs of scientific societies. Istanbul Sehremaneti Magazine, which was launched in 1924, was largely published thanks to the efforts of cultural historian Osman Nuri Ergin and the name would later be changed to Istanbul Belediye Mecmuasi (Istanbul Municipal Magazine). The magazine is of great importance since it is Turkey’s first municipal magazine. It reflects the social, administrative, economical, scientific and architectural structure of the period in detail and shows that urbanization that started in the Ottoman era in the 19th century in its modern sense continued rapidly into the Republican period. At a time when the West was adopted as an example while protecting the past and historical values, there were many activities in terms of city planning and municipal works. One activity area was the field of water, which is undoubtedly a fundamental human need. The magazine examines water and water structures in both municipal and architectural aspects and we can also find information about the availability of water, construction of water structures and water lines, and renovation of old water lines and structures. Waterrelated studies of Western origin were also published in the magazine, which shows that the West was a source of inspiration in this respect. This study examines 51 issues of Istanbul Sehremaneti Magazine published in Arabic alphabet between the years 1924-1928 before the adoption of the Latin alphabet and all the content related to water in these issues was identified. The obtained data was studied to reveal the water culture, water architecture and water policies in the early years of the Republic and to provide information about the importance attached by the municipality to the water issue and its water works. The study attempts to show through the water issue that Istanbul Municipality entered a rapid renewal period both by benefiting from different ideas from the West and by protecting its own cultural elements.