Voyvoda Street Lectures
April - June 2010

A.POLITICAL ECONOMY LECTURES

First Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The theme is environmental economics.

April 7, 2010 - Hasan Ersel 
What Is the Economic Approach to Environmental Issues?

Contrary to what is generally assumed, environmental issues have always interested economists. Studies in this area have contributed significantly both to understanding the problem and coming up with solutions. Within this context, the big questions that economists advance can be listed as follows: i) How can the cost of environmental damage and its preventive measures be determined? ii) Can economic activity governed by the rules of market mechanisms take place without causing environmental damage? iii) If this is not possible, can this goal be achieved by designing other efficient mechanisms? iv) How can such mechanisms become functional? v) Can collaboration be achieved among decision makers or is a specific authority called for? vi) If such an authority is necessary, how can this be attained at an international level face to a phenomenon like global warming? How can the social cost of setting up and making such a mechanism functional be divided “fairly” among various social groups in a national context, countries in a global context, and across generations when the time aspect of the event is taken into consideration?

We cannot claim that society is sufficiently aware of the contributions of economics to environmental issues .This is partially because research in this field tackles a number of complex topics – the phenomenon of “uncertainty” in particular – and takes place at an analytical level not immediately accessible to the layman. A more important reason is that the potential cost of the measures and structural changes required to resolve the problem has spurred the strong opposition of various interest groups, and this effectively blocks decision makers.

At the same time, due to the lack of public information on environmental issues, the large numbers of people affected by these problems remain indifferent to them, which in turn prevents the rise of a politically influential counter-opposition. Consequently, the dominant belief of the general public is that, outside of a few minor modifications, the existing order remains the only alternative. This proves that the politico-economic aspects of the question may be more important than they would appear at first glance. In an informal and easily accessible style, the lecture discusses recent findings in economics and how to apply them. 

May 5, 2010 - Prof. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu
Energy and Cleaner Production Technologies

Although it is indispensable to our everyday living, the impact that energy has on the environment cannot be ignored. Therefore, cleaner production technologies should be applied at every phase of the process, from the sources of energy selected to its consumption. The lecture briefly categorizes energy sources explaining how electricity and solid, liquid or gas fuels can be obtained from renewable sources, and presents as well tomorrow’s fuels and hydrogen energy systems. Karaosmanoğlu discusses energy resources and consumption throughout the world and examines the laws concerning energy use in the US and in Turkey. The lecture will present as well approaches to solving problems of electricity and fuel production, reveal the link between energy and climate change, and demonstrate the need for cleaner production with examples of its implementations.   

June 2, 2010 – Assoc. Prof. Yıldız Arıkan
Reducing Turkey’s CO2 Emissions: How Much and at What Cost?

The lecture first looks at the levels of CO2 emissions in Turkey and compares them to those of other countries around the world. Next, based on the conclusions of a study completed in March 2010, Arikan, who was part of the project team, will present various CO2 reduction scenarios and their consequences. Accordingly, he will discuss the amounts of CO2 reduction the scenarios can achieve and the cost of reduction. Finally, he will present different views, applicable both today and in the future, concerning how Turkey can meet its energy demands and at the same time cut CO2 emissions.

B.ISTANBUL LECTURES

Second Wednesday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Discussions on the pros and cons of Istanbul as an epicenter.

April 14, 2010 - Vasıf Kortun
Istanbul’s Current Art Sector: Back to the Past

The geographical concentration, reception scenarios and diversification of the arts sector in Istanbul today make it somewhat similar to that of 110 years ago. Concomitantly with newly opened giant corporations and international exhibitions, the concentration of cultural services along the Beyoğlu – Galata axis, and extensive arts coverage in the media, Istanbul is re-emerging as a world city. What is the meaning of this? Going beyond simple appearances, how should we analyze the current situation? What is its breaking point? What part do cultural go-betweens play in this process?   

May 12, 2010 – Assist. Prof. Asu Aksoy – Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Enlil
Istanbul’s Cultural Economy: Mapping 2010

The Inventory of Cultural Economy in Istanbul is an extensive data research, compilation, evaluation, and analysis project designed to indicate the necessary steps to expand the city’s cultural sphere – itself a pivotal factor for Istanbul’s economic growth in the 21st century. The lecture examines the findings and conclusions provided by the mapping and inventory of Istanbul’s cultural resources and discusses the consequences of proposed policies. In their visions for the future, both local and central administrations cast Istanbul as a capital of finance, tourism and culture. The megacity is rapidly shifting from a traditional industrial economy towards the newly dynamic areas of creative industries. Cultural services and industries, nurtured by cultural assets that spur creative capacity, constitute the corner stone of the new economy. This broad cultural sphere called “Cultural Economy” is gradually becoming one of the main components of regional development by playing a major role in the way cities define their identity, assert their individuality and present themselves. Thus the cultural sphere supports and invigorates urban economies through the direct and indirect contributions of cultural sectors, through tourism activities nurtured by these sectors, and by rendering the textile and industrial production sectors competitive with the creative services it supplies. At the same time, as a number of critics point out today, this “development through culture” discourse can often be limited to real estate development projects that result in a large scale gentrification of the city. The aim of the Inventory of Cultural Economy in Istanbul is to come up with suggestions for cultural and economic growth that rely on the participation of all city residents, and promote the creative and sustainable development of the city.

June 9, 2010 – Assist. Prof. Deniz Ünsal
Museums in the Metropolis: Center and Periphery

According to official sources, Istanbul’s population in 2010 now reaches 14 million and the population density per square meter is 20,000. Currently, the majority of roughly100 museums under various administrations are located on the European side of the city. Most of these are history museums but new museums opening in historic buildings also prefer the European side. Does opening a greater number of museums in its center make Istanbul a museum capital? In a capital of culture with a population unrivaled anywhere else in Europe, should priority go to museums located at the center of the metropolis or is it more important to acquaint the periphery with them? Answering these questions means reconsidering the definitions and functions of museums as well. Thus, when reflecting on museums in a metropolis, it becomes crucial to discuss urban living and the dynamics that affect city residents, as well as urban and museum governance.     

C.CITY AND LITERATURE TALKS 

Third Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Talks on cities and the writers they create.

April 21, 2010 - Nedim Gürsel
City and Literature: Istanbul, Venice, Berlin
In Nedim Gürsel’s books, cities are not only a decor; they actually provide the centerline and general direction of the narrative. In his short stories, novels, and travel books, the author strives to recapture the poetic atmosphere of cities and transmit it to his readers. Thus, Istanbul holds a special place in his novel Boğazkesen [The Conqueror], Venice is central to Resimli Dünya [Turbans in Venice], and Berlin to his book Çıplak Berlin [Naked Berlin]. With this lecture, the author of Sevgilim İstanbul [Istanbul My Love] meets with his readers to discuss cities as a literary muses and sign copies of his books.

D.BYZANTINE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY TALKS

Fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m., talks on Byzantine works.
         
April 28, 2010 - Dr. Ferudun Özgümüş
Archaeological Digs South of Aya Irini (St.Irene) Church

The German archaeologist and architectural historian, Müller Wiener mentions a chapel, which had always existed on the western slope of the hill where ancient Byzantium was located. Towards the middle of the 4th century, the church was enlarged and served as the city’s cathedral until the construction of Aya Irini right next to it in the year 360. The church sustained severe damage during the Nika riots that broke out in the 6th century under Justinanius and the emperor had to have it rebuilt. The structures in the south of the area were constructed at this time along with the church. 

The region, which was used as a timber depot in Ottoman times, underwent 3 seasons of excavations. The first were carried out between 1946 and 47 by M. Ramazanoğlu, the second took place between 1958 and 1961 under the supervision of F. Dirimtekin. The last excavations in the region were conducted between 1974 and 1976 by architect İlban Öz to clear the vicinity of Aya Irini and protect the church from damp. Based on findings from the digs and various publications, the lecture will provide information on the state of the archaeological remains today.

May 26, 2010 - Dr. Buket Kitapçı Bayrı
Changing Byzantine Identity in Greek Provinces (13th-15th Centuries)

The political, social, and cultural changes that occurred in Anatolia and the Balkans between the 11th and 15th centuries are considered to be the last significant transformation to take place in the medieval Mediterranean basin. The lecture focuses on the changing identity of the inhabitants of ancient Byzantine territories – called Greek provinces in Muslim sources – from 1261 to 1453. In this period, during the invasions, pillage, conquests, colonization and restructuring that followed the Turco-Muslim migrations, the boundaries of the physical and symbolic spheres that defined Byzantine group identity were transcended; the groups shrank increasingly due to captivity, conversion, and changing alliances. In order to understand the impact this shrinking had on Byzantine identity, Bayrı examined Byzantine accounts of heroic martyrdom and will share the findings of her research with us in this lecture.