Reading the Transformation of National Identity Through Place Names: The Case of Istanbul
Öz
National identities are paralleled by spaces as open spheres of social and political confrontation, where those in authority engage their contestations over national identity not only across various domains but also through spatial mediums. This study analyzes the transformation of national identity during the governance of the AK Party in Istanbul through the lens of place naming. In addition to a literature review, this study conducted a document analysis of legislation on place names, municipal council decisions, official announcements, and websites of numerous institutions such as the Ministry of Interior and municipal councils. The materials were subjected to a descriptive content analysis. The findings indicate that the naming practices of the AK Party are built upon prioritizing conservative, nationalist, and religiously sacred figures, thereby reflecting its own conception of national identity onto place names.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Place Names, National Identity, AK Party, Istanbul, Toponimy
Kaynakça
- Adıgüzel, M. M. (2024). Muhafazakârlığın görünürlük arzusu. Eskiyeni Yayınları.
- Altun, F. (2015). Alternatif tarih yazmak: Necip Fazıl Kısakürek’in hafıza siyaseti. A. Öz, İ. Kara, & A. Ertuğrul (Eds.), Necip Fazıl kitabı: “Kalır dudaklarda şarkımız bizim”: Sempozyum tebliğleri (pp. 325–367). Zeytinburnu Belediyesi Kültür Yayınları.
- Anderson, B. (2008). Doreen Massey ‘For space’ (2005). In P. Hubbard, G. Valentine, & R. Kitchin (Eds.), Key texts in human geography (pp. 227-234). SAGE Publications.
- Aydos, S. (2010). Anadolu’dan geldik: Devletin tanıtım filmlerinde ulusal kimlik anlatısı (1934–2005). Kilit Yayınları.
- Azaryahu, M. (1996). The power of commemorative street names. Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 14(3), 311–330. https://doi.org/10.1068/d140311
- Azaryahu, M. (1997). German reunification and the politics of street names: The case of East Berlin. Political Geography, 16(6), 479-493. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0962-6298(96)00053-4
- Azaryahu, M. (2011). The critical turn and beyond: The case of commemorative street naming. ACME: An International Journal for Critical Geographies, 10(1), 28–33. https://doi.org/10.14288/acme.v10i1.883
- Birdal, S. C. (2012). Bir ‘karşı-yas’ çalışması olarak Hrant Dink anması. In P. M. Y. Parmaksız (Ed.), Neye yarar hatıralar? Bellek ve siyaset çalışmaları (pp. 253–279). Phoenix Yayınları.
- Bora, T. (2007). Türk sağının üç hâli: Milliyetçilik, muhafazakârlık, İslâmcılık. Birikim Yayınları.
- Bozdoğan, S., & Benek, S. (2022). Kamusal alanların ideolojik kurgusu: Bir eleştirel toponimi denemesi. Coğrafi Bilimler Dergisi, 20(2), 550–579. https://doi.org/10.33688/aucbd.1137487