Istanbul has stood between opposing waves of religion, culture, and imperial power for more than 2,500 years, at times acting as a bridge and at other times as a barrier. It was one of the world's most sought-after cities for the majority of those years. Byzas, the commander of the Greeks from Megara, is said to have taken the peninsula from Thracian pastoral nomads in 657 BCE, which is where the name Byzantium may have originated. The town was destroyed by the Roman emperor Septimius Severus in 196 CE because the community had opposed him in a civil war. He rebuilt the town and called it Augusta Antonina in memory of his son. When Constantine the Great consecrated the city as his capital in 330 CE, he dubbed it New Rome. However, until he ordered Constantinopolis to be substituted, the currency was still marked Byzantium. Greek speakers were reportedly referring to travels there as eis tēn polin, or "into the City," rather than "to Constantinople," around the end of the first millennium. This Greek term had been adopted as the city's name by the 13th century: Istinpolin. Over several centuries, this term evolved into Istanbul through a variety of linguistic variations. However, the city kept using the millennium name of Constantinople until the Turkish Post Office formally altered it in 1930. Population as of 2007 was 10,757,327; as of 2019, the estimated urban agglom was 15,113,808.(Ehrlich,2019). 

 

LOCATION  

Turkey's biggest metropolis, Istanbul, is situated on two continents and is situated at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, where Istanbul has always been a significant hub of culture. It is situated in northwest Turkey, and is extending over both sides of the Bosphorus Strait. While the Asian side of Istanbul provides more rural regions with breathtaking views of the Bosporus and Black Sea, the majority of the city's population is European, also Istanbul is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to see because of its advantageous position as well as its amazing collection of historical attractions, thrilling nightlife, delicious food, and amazing architecture. A rich and illustrious past also exists for Istanbul, originally known as Constantinople, It was established in 330 AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine, and for more than a millennium, it functioned as the Eastern Roman Empire's capital. 

Istanbul was one of the most significant cities in Europe at this time, and its influence extended across most of Asia Minor and beyond. Istanbul has an extraordinarily rich and varied culture that endures to this day due to centuries of invasion, occupation, and governance by several empires, including the Ottomans, Byzantines, and Venetians. In addition, it served as the Ottoman Empire's capital until Turkey gained independence in 1923. The capital then relocated to Ankara, where it has stayed ever since. Because of this, Istanbul is sometimes referred to as "the crossroads between East and West," which is a description for this dynamic metropolis that still connects two continents today (The Art of Living ,2023). 

 

 ACTIVITIES

When you visit the magnificent Byzantine church of Aya Sofya, history comes to life. Constructed in the sixth century on the Emperor Justinian's orders, the building's imposing dome, expansive nave, and shimmering gold mosaics add to its status as one of the most magnificent structures in the world. Its rich past as a church, mosque, and museum also makes it the most illuminating time capsule in the city. One of Turkey's greatest treasures, it was looted by raiding Crusaders in the 13th century, assaulted by Ottoman conquerors during the Conquest in 1453, and visited by millions of visitors after becoming a museum in 1935. The Aya Sofya has been closed to non-worshippers during the five daily prayer periods since its reconsecration as a mosque in the summer of 2020. Also, women are required to cover their heads, and all visitors must remove their shoes in order to enter the inner narthex. The building's historic magnificence is still astounding, despite the fact that the top gallery is inaccessible, much of the antique marble floor has been replaced with carpets, and some of the mosaics are protected by retractable screens. (Lonely Planet. (n.d 

Grand Bazaar

 

The most well known shopping area on Istanbul's historic peninsula is the bustling and vibrant Grand Bazaar, but there are other options as well. Once you've explored its twisting alleyways and secret caravanserais, follow the steady stream of neighbourhood shoppers as they make their way downhill to Tahtakale, a bustling retail district with the alluringly fragrant Spice Bazaar at its centre. From there, make your way back up towards the Blue Mosque and its accompanying arasta (an arcade-style Ottoman market that usually included merchants of one particular craft), where you could just find something that will stick with you as a souvenir of your journey. (Lonely Planet. (n.d.) 

What you can also do is to enjoy the Turkish hamams, there aren't many chances in life to explore an Ottoman landmark from the sixteenth century and try this cultural hamams. However, Istanbul's renowned hamams provide precisely that—the opportunity to simultaneously immerse oneself in warm water, soap suds, history, and architecture. 

After a day of tramping the city's side-walks, a hamam treatment provides a rejuvenating end to the day and offers a fascinating window into Ottoman culture. Baths on both sides of the Galata Bridge invite you to submit to the steam; the Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı in Sultanahmet and the Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı in Tophane are especially beautiful and opulent. (Lonely Planet. (n.d.) 

 

ECOLOGICAL  SAGNIFICANCE 

 

In the context of the effects of the new urban planning dynamics, this research examines the problems of Istanbul, which has been known as a problematic city since the beginning of the twentieth century. These problems include migration, earthquakes, environmental and sea disasters, housing issues, and more. Migration has long been a contributing element to Istanbul's unchecked growth, which began in the middle of the 20th century. Istanbul, a historic metropolis, has ironically changed its approach to planning recently, reorienting its goals in house design in light of the recent Covid-19 outbreak, earthquake, and other environmental calamities. 

The city's current problems that were thought to have received little research, as well as the earlier planning to preserve continuity on planning theories, the theories were based on new climate based or disaster based planning theories of the historic city of Istanbul. This study provided an updated analysis of Istanbul's natural and climatic problems, including the recent sea disasters, earthquakes, and deforestation brought on by unchecked urban sprawl, as well as the government's and the private sector's projections and mitigation measures, including new housing projects and architectural models. By the 2000s, the disasters had a greater impact on the city's future planning, bringing to light three main planning issues: first, applications for regeneration that were started immediately following the 1999 earthquake; second, planning based on climate change, which was started after the 2010s; and third, the recent pandemic that has prompted people to look for new housing models and ways of living that have gained traction globally and in Istanbul. A research taxonomy was created using diachronic analysis in accordance with the current and past issues facing the city, as well as new planning theories and housing models that were either developed specifically for Istanbul or imported from other countries in response to recent disasters and the issue of climate change. While earlier studies on this topic focused on Istanbul's issues, the goal of this study was to provide an updated work that addressed more recent issues or disasters, such as COVID-19, with the new and creative projects created in the emergency disaster response plan, particularly over the last 20 years (Coskun, 2023). 

 

SIZE  OF  TOURISM 

 

Nearly 15 million international visitors arrived in Istanbul in 2019, which was the second- highest number ever. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused travel restrictions, which resulted in a substantial decline in international visitor arrivals in Istanbul in 2020, a third less than the previous year. The overall number of tourists reached a peak of 16 million in 2022 after significantly exceeding nine million in 2021 (Statista, n.d.). 

 

Number of tourists in thousands.

 

EMPLOYMENT 

Turkey's employment rate grew from 48.20 percent in November 2023 to 48.80 percent in December. Turkey's employment rate reached an all-time high of 48.80 percent in December 2023 and a record low of 38.80 percent in April of 2009, with an average of 43.75 percent from 2005 to 2023 (tradingeconomics.com, n.d.). 

 

IMPACT  TO  LOCAL  ECONOMY 

 

At around $906 billion in GDP, Turkey ranks 19th in the world's economies. A growing contributor of official development aid (ODA), it is a member of the G20 and the OECD. Through its aggressive reform programme and strong economic development between 2006 and 2017, Turkey advanced to upper middle income status and saw a decline in poverty. Between 2006 and 2020, the percentage of the population living below the $6.85 per day poverty threshold almost halved, to 9.8%. But during the last 10 years, as reform momentum has diminished, productivity growth has stalled and efforts have shifted to maintaining growth with credit expansions and demand stimulation, sharpening both internal and external vulnerabilities. From August 2018, macro financial instability has made high unemployment, large private sector debt, ongoing current account deficits, and high inflation worse. 2022 saw 5.6% economic growth, continuing the robust recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a weakening external environment and unconventional monetary measures have caused the economy to lose steam. February 6, 2023, saw two catastrophic earthquakes that caused physical devastation in 11 provinces, which together constitute for 9.4% of Turkey's GDP and 16.4% of the country's human sorrow. Although 

$34.2 billion is believed to have been lost directly, the amount needed for rebuilding may quadruple. An already precarious macroeconomic environment was further strained by the disasters. Economic growth is projected to be 3.2% in 2023 and 4.3% in 2024, helped along by pre-election expenditure and restoration initiatives. (The World Bank, 2023) 

 

BUSINESS  ENVIRONMENT 

 

There were 37 billionaires living in the city in 2013. Businesses founded in Istanbul sent 

$51,397,000,000 worth of commodities and imported $78,883,000,000, these numbers represented 56.6% and 60.2% of Turkey's overall export and import operations worldwide. Turkey's overall imports and exports increased by 17% in 2015 and the need for energy increased as a result, and several international corporations opened offices in Istanbul and began recruiting staff with foreign experience. Nonetheless, everyone in Istanbul has to live with the fact that there is still an unequal distribution of income, according to data from 2017, for instance, twenty percent of the wealthiest income group consumes sixty two percent of the resources. Six percent of the money are used by twenty percent of the lowest income group. Various institutions are working to effect change, despite the fact that this is an unfavourable fact. A shift in the living standards is anticipated to have a direct impact on Turkey's economy and overall statistics (expat.com, n.d). 

 

CONSUMER GROUP 

From 2007 to 2022, Istanbul's population grew gradually. From 

12.6 million in 2007 to 15.9 million in 2022, Istanbul's population increased by more than three million throughout this time. Approximately 75 million people, or half of the country's population, are under 30, and most have strong internet connections. (Statista, n.d.)

 

TECHNOLOGY 

Museum of the History of Science and Technology

 

In 2015, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, in collaboration with associated enterprises including as İSBAK, launched a comprehensive smart city transformation programme and roadmap. The "to be the smartest city in the world that makes the most contribution to the quality of life by 2029"(S-GE, 2023). Smart City Vision of Istanbul, together with short (2019), medium (2023), and long (2029) term strategic objectives and smart city roadmap, was produced under this transformation initiative. "Mobility, environment, energy, governance, economy, life, human, and safety" have been designated as the eight emphasis areas.(S-GE, 2023) 

 

WHY  YOU  SHOULD  VISIT ISTANBUL? 

Do you like to see the rocky landscapes and colourful bazaars of Turkey? Reserve a spot on Culture Trip's 12-day group trip, which includes hot-air balloon rides over the terrain and stops at significant historical sites. With a population of over 14 million, Istanbul is a very vibrant city. The size and terrain of the city, which was formerly the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, are appropriate given its widely varied past. The city spans both Europe and Asia and is encircled by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Istanbul is dotted with historical sites, including stunning mosques that pierce the horizon and magnificent palaces covered in murals and mosaics. The streets of the lively communities are lined with a variety of cafés, bars, boutique stores, and rooftop eateries. Most neighbourhoods also have vivid bazaars. (Reasons To Visit Istanbul, n.d.) 

Another reason that can make you travel to Istanbul is that the currency is much lower. For example, 1 pound in Turkish lira is 41.09. 

 

COMPETITORS 

Turkey is now leading the Mediterranean, where more tourists travel than any other region in the world. It has overtaken its main competitors, France, Spain, and Italy, having welcomed more tourists in the first ten months of the year. These developments have been favourable to Turkey in the competition. The epidemic hasn't stopped competition in the Mediterranean, the world's busiest travel destination. Compared to one of its main rivals, Spain, Turkey fared better throughout the epidemic. Turkey is now only ahead of Spain in the Mediterranean in terms of the number of tourists who are citizens of foreign countries, according to a survey that was released on Friday in the Turkish economics daily Dünya. Turkey had a total of 24.98 million visitors in ten months, including 3.92 million foreign-resident people, compared to Spain's 24.83 million tourists. Ten-month data shows that Turkey outnumbered Spain by 152,000 tourists. However, things are different when it comes to the overall and per-capita revenue from tourism. Turkey has more tourists than Spain due to the presence of its residents residing elsewhere. In terms of revenue, Spain, however, is much ahead of Turkey. Turkey received $20.3 billion (TL 

343.07 billion) in tourist revenue in the third quarter of 2021, of which $3.1 billion came from overseas visitors and $16.4 billion from its nationals living abroad, according to the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) Balance of Payments Report. The number of visitors to Turkey in the last ten months, counting just international tourists, surpassed 21 million in terms of tourism income per capita. When residents living abroad are included, that figure jumps to 25.3 million. During this time, Italy had 21 million people, while Spain and France had 24 million. In other parts of the area, Egypt had five million tourists, Greece fifteen million, and Croatia ten million. (SABAH, 2021) 

 

CONCLUSION 

 

Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and main port, has a rich and varied culture that has endured through centuries of invasion, occupation, and governance. The city's most famous landmark is the Byzantine church of Aya Sofya, built in the sixth century on Emperor Justinian's orders. Istanbul's historic peninsula offers various shopping options, including the Grand Bazaar, Tahtakale, and the Blue Mosque. Despite facing challenges such as migration, earthquakes, and environmental disasters, Istanbul has recently reoriented its goals in house design. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in international visitor arrivals, but the country's economy ranks 19th in the world with around $906 billion in GDP. Istanbul has a vibrant business environment with 37 billionaires living in the city, but there is still an unequal distribution of income. The city's population grew gradually from 12.6 million in 2007 to 15.9 million in 2022, with 75 million people under 30 and most having strong internet connections. Turkey is now leading the Mediterranean in terms of tourists, overtaking its main competitors, France, Spain, and Italy. Visitors can enjoy its rocky landscapes, colourful bazaars, and historical sites, encircled by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.