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Lost Waters of Istanbul: Deciphering Cultural and Natural Landscapes Through Mapping

Kaan Özgün and Beliz Bayraktar’s research study examines Istanbul, historically known as a water city, has long relied on aquifers and conveyance structures. Today, urbanization and excessive groundwater use threaten these systems, leaving only 174 of 321 creeks. The paper explores how natural elements like creeks and springs influenced Istanbul’s urban heritage, including bostans and hagiasmas. Using GIS,researchers compared historical and modern land use through maps like the 1845 Mühendishane-i Berri Hümayun map and the “Carte de Constantinople.” Focusing on the historical peninsula, they analyzed its past and present features, revealing significant insights for land use, tourism, and heritage policies.