Participatory living heritage planning in practice: Lessons from Balıkçıköy, Istanbul

Abstract

This study examines the participatory process of an ongoing conservation-oriented urban planning initiative in Balıkçıköy, a registered cultural heritage site in Maltepe Istanbul, through the conceptual lens of the living heritage approach. Drawing on in-depth interviews with local residents and planning professionals, it investigates three interrelated dimensions: the acknowledgment of local values, the translation of community knowledge into planning decisions, and the equity of representation across the process. Although a range of participatory tools was employed, the findings indicate that participation largely remained at a consultative level, with limited influence on strategic outcomes. While local values were documented, their integration was constrained by expert-driven frameworks. Rather than evaluating final outputs, the study focuses on participatory dynamics, arguing that meaningful heritage planning requires transparent dialogue, shared authority, and a sustained commitment to co-producing decisions with communities.