A Threat to Cultural Sustainability: Urbicide

Abstract

This article examines the intricate relationship between urban memory, the phenomenon of urban destruction (urbicide), and cultural sustainability. Cities, understood as living narratives shaped by collective memory, are profoundly affected by the erasure of urban spaces. This erasure affects community identity, urban identity, and cultural heritage. The implicit hypothesis of the article is that the selective destruction of urban layers (urbicide) disrupts urban memory, erodes cultural sustainability, and prioritizes singular historical narratives over the multilayered authenticity of cities, ultimately harming community identity and resilience. Due to this argument, the conceptual framework of the article is constructed by exploring key concepts: urban memory, cultural sustainability, and urbicide, drawing upon existing literature to establish a framework for analysis. The article then delves into the multifaceted causes of urban destruction. Specific cases of urban destruction in Turkey are analyzed to illustrate the complexities of these processes and their impact on cultural sustainability. The cases are from three cities: İstanbul and Bursa, which are included in UNESCO World Heritage List, and Ankara, the capital city. Finally, the article concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for urban planning and policy, emphasizing the critical need for holistic approaches that prioritize the preservation of urban memory and the fostering of cultural resilience.