Lale Berkoz

Transformation of Istanbul from a monocentric to a polycentric city

Abstract This paper investigates the spatial transformation of Istanbul from a monocentric to a polycentric city following the growth of the city and the development of its communications systems. The population and employment of peripheral districts have been growing rapidly, while those of the core districts have decreased. In addition, other variables are utilized for the identification of polycentres such as tax revenues from commercial enterprises, weighted average trip length and volume of mail. The results of the study reveal that the old CBD of Istanbul is no longer a dominant employment centre. Instead, a new CBD is emerging at the intersection of the radial and the peripheral highways, and subcentres are developing in some of the first and second ring districts. A major contributing factor to Istanbuls polycentric development has been the transformation of its economy into one that requires large modem office space and facilities for private automobiles—both of which are difficult to provide wi...

Residential-location preferences according to demographic characteristics in Istanbul

Abstract Istanbul is a rapidly growing city whose urban structure and socio-economic characteristics are constantly evolving. Residential preferences of the population are continually adapting to its changing conditions. According to many studies, the life cycle is the main explanatory factor in intra-urban migration. This study investigates residential-location preferences with respect to different age groups, household sizes and income groups. The results, which show a strong desire for mobility in middle and older age groups, are in contrast with the findings of Western studies. At the same time, while young people’s preferences are concentrated in the periphery, a large percentage of middle and older age groups prefer to move to the intermediate area between the core and the periphery, now the most easily accessible zone in the city.

The Interregional Location of Foreign Investors in Turkey

There are several dynamic factors that contribute to the reinforcement of the commercial relationships of Turkey. That is to say not only the strategic regional importance of Turkey, placed on the axis extending from the Far East to the Mediterranean side, Middle East and Europe, but also the new opportunities arising from the continuously developing relationships with the Balkan countries and the newly-established Turkish Republics, since the beginning of the 1990s, have been strengthening Turkeys commercial contacts. Istanbul has the communication networks and infrastructure required to develop into a regional centre. The major investments made in the communication sector during the 1980s have acted to develop the telecommunications infrastructure, thus supporting Istanbuls development into a regional communications centre. Today Istanbul has one of the worlds most developed telecommunications infrastructures and this has given the city advantages in terms of expanding into international markets.

Residential preferences in Istanbul

Abstract Since the 1950s, the provision of housing, services and infrastructure has not kept pace with the rapid population expansion of Istanbul. While some of the modern districts have become comparatively more attractive, the historic districts have lost population due to the deterioration of their neighbourhoods. These changes have created locational advantages and disadvantages which are reflected in the urban land markets and have resulted in intra-urban migration. In this study, the residential preferences of individuals are investigated with respect to their socio-economic characteristics and the general characteristics of the districts. The result of a survey are evaluated with respect to a cross-tabulation. Thus, proximity to relatives, a clean and quiet neighbourhood and a stable social environment are common factors for all income groups. This illustrates the traditional social values that transcend income levels, as well as the universal desire to escape the environmental pollution and social deterioration of a large city. The results of the study can be useful in city development plans and house-building programmes.

Locational Preferences of FDI Firms in Turkey: A Detailed Examination of Regional Determinants

Within the last decade, foreign direct investment (FDI) research studies have attracted the attention of scholars in the fields of international business and economics. Previous FDI studies primarily focused on sectoral or geographical distribution and were concerned with economic analyses. In Turkey, the number of empirical studies examining location-specific factors has remained relatively low. This study is based on a sample of 90 companies that were surveyed in metropolitan areas in Turkey in 2006. Descriptive analysis and t-test statistical analysis techniques have been used in the analysis of the data obtained from the questionnaire. This one-sample t-test has been performed to determine whether the mean rating of a sample is significantly different from the population mean. According to the results of t-test, a determination has been made of the most important factors in location preference of foreign investment firms.

Locational preferences of producer service firms in Istanbul

Abstract With the advent of advanced telecommunication networks, the range of location selection has expanded. The impact of telecommunications on the choice of location for businesses active in producer services is so far unclear. None the less, it has become evident that many other factors are of importance in determining office location patterns. Office location and its effect on urban structures has been one of the most important aspects of post‐World War II economic changes in developed countries. The increasing importance of the service sector in modem economies necessitates elaboration of locational behaviour in producer service firms. The objective of the research summarized in this paper was to evaluate location of producer service firms in the Istanbul metropolitan area. The method of factor analysis was utilized to define factors important in determining office location patterns. Factor analysis would indicate the main axis of data variation. It is basically a data reduction method that identif...

International telecommunications in Turkey

This paper aims to study the relationships between telecommunications and international movements of factors such as exports, imports and tourists in Turkey. A multiple regression analysis is used to analyze the relationship between international telephone calls and international movements. Incoming tourism is the dominant movement explaining growth in international calls. Thus, the international movement of information as expressed in international telephone calls has been shown in the case of Turkey to be dependent to some extent on other movements. Further research is suggested on the regional impact of international telecommunications in developing countries.

Intrametropolitan Determinants of Foreign Investment Firms in Istanbul

In the process of economic transformation there has been considerable academic interest in the understanding of the location behavior of foreign direct investment (FDI) firms. While studies on FDI firm location have mainly focused on the national and regional levels, studies of the intraurban level have been limited, especially so for developing countries. In developing countries, intensive studies have been carried out on the spatial impacts of foreign capital on the national city system or the regional determinants in the location choice of foreign capital. However, studies on the impacts of foreign investments on the cities of the developing countries have been limited. The same situation also holds true for the studies conducted in Turkey and studies on the spatial models at the intraurban level are limited. Foreign investment requires that the market conditions of the area in which it is considering investing be commensurate with no-risk business operations and demands that the conditions relative to...

Dynamic behavior of the city center in Istanbul

Abstract Since the 1950s urban areas in Istanbul have gone through a rapid expansion. A number of problems have accompanied this growth, including an infrastructure lag, the expansion of squatter settlements, urban blight, pollution and traffic congestion. In the process of metropolitanization in Istanbul, the subcenters have developed towards the north. Attempts to solve the problems of metropolitanization indicate the need for a better understanding of the dynamics of complex metropolitan areas. This study evaluates the existing capacity and the potential for development of the Central Business District (CBD) in Istanbul in terms of the demand for various activities. In this study, the changes that have occurred in the functional areas and in the pattern of employment in the historical and the new CBD are examined by means of a dynamic simulation model based on Forresters Urban Dynamics Model. In the first section of the paper, the aims of the study are introduced. In the second section, general information about Istanbuls CBD is given. In the third section, the models that are used in urban and regional modeling are reviewed and the theoretical structure of Urban Dynamics Model is presented. In the fourth section, applications of the developed computer simulation model are presented. In the fifth section, the results are discussed.